Secret Ballot - 101

For those who haven’t heard, we here in the United States, have the right to vote a secret ballot. Simply put; that means that no-one can compel you to tell them for whom you have cast your vote. This is a good thing. It safeguards our Democratic Republic in a very basic way. It prevents “gridlock” amongst the populace, and thus prevents “we the people” from coming to loggerheads with one another, thereby giving all power to the elected officials who will them only represent about half of the nation’s views, and needs. This is a bad thing.

But, lately, we have all seem to forgotten that. Each election cycle reveals a further split; right down the middle; of our national spirit. The repercussions of this are that there is a lack of civil discourse in the land. There is a stagnation of solutions to the many problems which we all face, while there is a proliferation of propaganda from both sides, in a further effort to divide us; to conquer us; to keep us powerless to effect any change. And, with the aid of the 24/7 news cycle; as well as the blogosphere; they seem to be doing a damn good job of it, too.

There’s a lot at stake in the coming election. Let’s all take a step back and breathe a bit before pulling that lever, punching the card, or marking your ballot. But, most importantly; let this election be a lesson to us in what not to expect of our elected officials. We do not expect to spend the majority of the next 4 years with a partisan, obstructionist Congress, or Senate.

As usual, I urge you all to wait until after the election and then phone, e-mail, or fax your concerns for America to your Congressional Representative, as well as your Senators. Let them know that you hold them responsible for both the successes; and failures; of the 4 years.

Remember, when you pull that lever on Election Day, you are hiring; or retaining; an employee. That employee has benefits which the average American only dreams of these days. Health Care, paid for by you; a very generous Retirement system, paid for by you; and all the tax loopholes necessary to wash clean the honorariums which they receive in addition to the salary of about $180,000; plus expenses; all at a time when you yourself may be struggling to find employment, or keep your home.

So, instead of screaming at one another, let’s be quiet for the next 2 weeks and ponder one of the most important decisions which we, the people, will probably ever be called upon to make in our lifetimes. And when all is said and done; regardless of who wins the election; we, the people are all we really have to count upon. Let’s never allow ourselves to forget that.

Here is a link to contact all of your Senators and Congressional Representatives;

http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

Pendulums / It's That Time Again

It’s that time, once again, for a short talk about Pendulums and how they work. A pendulum is attached to a fixed point, which, for the purpose of this discussion, we shall label the 12 o’clock, or, “noon” position. The pendulum, when left alone, hangs straight down, in what we shall refer to as the 6 o’clock position. That is the center of its gravity. It is also the beginning point for any deviation which might occur, causing the pendulum to swing to either the left, or right. This is healthy, as that is what pendulums do. They swing, in a predictable arc. But what happens when it swings too far, either to the right, or to the left?

In politics, we have the Pendulum of Democracy, which works best when swinging back and forth, over a period of time, while never exceeding a point further than half way up either side. Think of it as a clock face. When the hour hand goes too far right, passing the 3 o’clock position; or too far left, passing the 9 o’clock position; we are in trouble.
Examine the role of the Pendulum in history. When the Pendulum is straight down, at 6 o’clock, things are going well, though a bit stagnant. Kind of like the 1950’s. When the Pendulum swings to the left there is usually some kind of social change driving that motion. And, when that Pendulum starts to swing too far to the left, the gravity inherent to that situation is usually enough to bring it back to the six o’clock position. The same is true of the Pendulum when it swings too far to the right.

Two great examples of the Pendulum swinging out of control occurred in the 20^th century, and as such, should still be fresh in most people’s minds, if not their memories. The first example is the Russian Revolution, which put the Communists in power for 70 long years, plunging that country into a darkness which overtook all thought and reason. That out of control swing was to the left, and gave us leaders like Joseph Stalin and the millions of deaths at his hands.

The second occurrence was the rise of the Nazi’s to power in Germany. That event also sucked all thought and freedom from the population. It also gave us Adolph Hitler, who; with his out of control swing rightward; also piled up millions of deaths.

So, the question is this; which is best; a swing too far to the right or a swing too far to the left?

The answer, of course, is that neither extreme is healthy.  What is the difference between Stalin and Hitler? A few million bodies is all that separates them.

Are these extreme examples? Not really. Just look back through history and you will see that the Pendulum has been an indicator of freedom for thousands of years. And how does this apply to us, here and now?

This election year will take its usual course, with folks on both sides urging you to support a swing to either the far left, or the far right. They will disguise their intentions; clothed as they are; behind the flag, or the Bible. You will be bombarded with vitriol concerning Gay Marriage Amendments, Abortion, and all manner of other social issues, designed to take your eyes “off the ball”, so to speak. Don’t be fooled.

The issues which concern us most, as a nation, go far beyond those “window dressing” topics. The economy, the wars, the health care debate; these are the real issues. And, as you ponder your beliefs, be sure to think about that Pendulum of Democracy. And remember this; when the Pendulum has swung too far in either direction, you may not be allowed to think at all.

2012 and the Secret Ballot - An Opinion.

The Presidential Election is looming ahead of us, and though over a year away, the battlelines have already been drawn, and the worthless rhetoric begun. What can we do, each of us, as individuals, to break the cycle of rancor and division? It's quite simple. The Secret Ballot. You have it, it's your right, use it.

Imagine an election in which there are no polls to highlight the divide between political factions. Some people might even think about the issues. I have proposed this in 2004 and 2008, to no avail. I believe I was a bit ahead of the times then. But I also believe that it is a viable solution, as well as a possible deterrent, to the forces that seek to keep us split, 49% against 51%, in a continuosly shifting battle, one which serves only the politicians, and the media, running the show.

In this coming election cycle I encourage you, when asked, by friends and pollsters alike, who you are voting for, to reply with something like, "I am exercising my right to vote a Secret Ballot." If they persist, question their loyalty to the Constitution, which they all, on both sides, so vociferously defend.

If the Conservative persists, you can accuse him of betraying the Constitution. On the other hand, if a Liberal is bothering you, you can question his patriotism as well. After all, both sides are extremists, and as such, threats to the order of our society. Numerous as they may be, the faults of the system in place now, pale in comparison to the spectre of Tea Partiers, or Juinor Congressman, running the country. And as for Donald Trump, don't even get me started.

So, vow to vote your conscious. That is your Right. But don't give the 24/7 news cycle the fuel on which they feed, as they continue to influence elections with their "polls." That's your Right, too. And in a more important way, it's also your Responsibilty.