An Open Mind - All I Want is an Open Mind. Or do I?

Well, it has been a long time, blog of mine. Don't even know if I can figure out how to post in this new format, but I will try. Nothing much to say, no injustices to set right, no big issues - uh oh... Maybe there is one tiny little thing I'm upset about.
Upset? That's not the right word. Livid. Yes, livid is better. You see, I am so fed up with the political process during this Presidential election that I could just take a big stick to the ad writers, campaign managers, smarmy-voiced announcers, mean-sounding announcers, actors, (yes, I know it's their job, but how could they say the horrible things those ads make them say?), writers - anyone having anything to do with the lying, exaggerating and misinforming of the campaign ads.
Livid with the campaign, but what am I feeling for the American populace? The ones who vote based only on the above-mentioned lies, and the ones who just vote their party without thinking about the people running or the issues or the party platform. The word for what I am feeling about these people is...stupid. We are stupid, stupid, stupid. Our system is broken and we are trapped in it. It seems that money buys elections; voting machines can be rigged; elections can be jiggered; and the wrong candidate can win.
My, my, listen to me. It must be late at night on the eve of campaigning door-to-door for the candidate that my neighbors in this county do not like. And why don't they like him? Because they have drunk the poison cool-aid of his opponents. They have listened to the lies and misinformation because it is easier to do that than to find out what really is going on. But I'll be out there anyway trying to influence those who haven't made up their minds yet. Those who have open minds. I wonder if I will find any - it seems that people don't want open minds. Facts might find their way into an open mind. An open mind might think instead of just react. The possessor of an open mind just might figure out who to vote for based on his record and what he says he wants to do in the future for the citizens of his country.
So yes, it's late and I have heard too many awful political ads because I live in - the saints preserve us - a SWING state. Yecch. The candidates show up in this state every other day. Rich people have $20,000 a plate dinners for them often. The TV ads are disgusting and non-stop. What a joy to live in Ohio during a national election. Everyone will be united the day after the election no matter who wins because we all will be so relieved to not be forced to listen to the ads bought by outside money - lots of outside money. Boatloads of outside money. So much money that it could probably reduce the national debt significantly.
Some people say they hate politics and stay away. They don't listen or pay attention to what is going on in Washington. I hate politics but can't stay away. And that is my problem, my curse - the cause of the little black cloud above my head tonight.
But tomorrow is another day and I will go talk to people, many of whom won't want to listen to me. But I will feel better knowing that I have tried. I have taken action in a small way, the only way I can. And I will take more of these small actions so that I can feel like I put my money where my mouth is - or more accurately, walked the talk. And I won't turn on the TV for the entire weekend so I can be surprised by the new ads on next week.

Here is a poem about an ideal candidate.

Exquisite Candidate


by Denise Duhamel and Maureen Seaton

I can promise you this: food in the White House
will change! No more granola, only fried eggs
flipped the way we like them. And ham ham ham!
Americans need ham! Nothing airy like debate for me!
Pigs will become the new symbol of glee,
displacing smiley faces and "Have A Nice Day."
Car bumpers are my billboards, billboards my movie screens.
Nothing I can say can be used against me.
My life flashes in front of my face daily.
Here's a snapshot of me as a baby. Then
marrying. My kids drink all their milk which helps the dairy industry.
A vote for me is not only a pat on the back for America!
A vote for me, my fellow Americans, is a vote for everyone like me!
If I were the type who made promises
I'd probably begin by saying: America,
relax! Buy big cars and tease your hair
as high as the Empire State Building.
Inch by inch, we're buying the world's sorrow.
Yeah, the world's sorrow, that's it!
The other side will have a lot to say about pork
but don't believe it! Their graphs are sloppy coloring books.
We're just fine—look at the way
everyone wants to speak English and live here!
Whatever you think of borders,
I am the only candidate to canoe over Niagara Falls
and live to photograph the Canadian side.
I'm the only Julliard graduate—
I will exhale beauty all across this great land
of pork rinds and gas stations and scientists working for cures,
of satellite dishes over Sparky's Bar & Grill, the ease
of breakfast in the mornings, quiet peace of sleep at night.