The following piece was originally published on OpEds.com just before the 2004 elections. It was again relevant in 2008, and it still merits repeating now.
Well, boys and girls, here we are again in the middle of another name-calling, lying, blustering, posturing, hand-shaking, baby kissing election cycle. Who will win the big prize, Gladstone Gander or Elmer Fudd? [this dig would have been perfect in 2008. In 2012 we may have Gladstone Gander vs Gladstone Gander].
Seriously, though, there are some considerations that voters should keep in mind as the pathetic spectacle unfolds. In a perfect world, one would vote for the candidate with the highest morals, character and intelligence, hoping that he or she would put the welfare of the constituency above personal gain and power. However, we have far from a perfect world, and voting for the best candidate - even one of impeccable character and wisdom - is not necessarily the best choice.
As has been demonstrated all too often in recent years, the spoils system perks for the majority party of each House of the Federal Legislature drastically changes the game. The eligibility for positions of Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and all of the various Committee Chairmanships, together with the tendency for most party members to vote as a block, has resulted in the partisan makeup of Congress being much more important than the qualifications of any particular member. This obviously implies, unfortunately, that on voting for your Senator or your Congressman, you should carefully evaluate which party represents those values that you hold dear, and vote accordingly along party lines. Even if there is, to quote a famous Alabaman, "not a dime's worth of difference" between the two parties, you must determine the few pennies difference that does exist and encourage it. To do otherwise will guarantee that the general trend will not be in the direction you desire.
In voting for the President, however, the situation is quite different. Although party pressure is sure to have some influence, if either candidate exhibits a clear advantage in terms of character and a dedication to principles that you support, then you should vote accordingly, even if it means crossing party lines. The nature of the Presidency is such that party affiliation is of concern only if the office is held by a petty partisan politician. [as is, for example, currently the case in 2012].
For local elections, the considerations above may or may not be applicable, but one should give some thought as to whether qualifications or party affiliation is the more important parameter. It is sad that our political system has degenerated to such a state, but it is the fact of the matter.
Seriously, though, there are some considerations that voters should keep in mind as the pathetic spectacle unfolds. In a perfect world, one would vote for the candidate with the highest morals, character and intelligence, hoping that he or she would put the welfare of the constituency above personal gain and power. However, we have far from a perfect world, and voting for the best candidate - even one of impeccable character and wisdom - is not necessarily the best choice.
As has been demonstrated all too often in recent years, the spoils system perks for the majority party of each House of the Federal Legislature drastically changes the game. The eligibility for positions of Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and all of the various Committee Chairmanships, together with the tendency for most party members to vote as a block, has resulted in the partisan makeup of Congress being much more important than the qualifications of any particular member. This obviously implies, unfortunately, that on voting for your Senator or your Congressman, you should carefully evaluate which party represents those values that you hold dear, and vote accordingly along party lines. Even if there is, to quote a famous Alabaman, "not a dime's worth of difference" between the two parties, you must determine the few pennies difference that does exist and encourage it. To do otherwise will guarantee that the general trend will not be in the direction you desire.
In voting for the President, however, the situation is quite different. Although party pressure is sure to have some influence, if either candidate exhibits a clear advantage in terms of character and a dedication to principles that you support, then you should vote accordingly, even if it means crossing party lines. The nature of the Presidency is such that party affiliation is of concern only if the office is held by a petty partisan politician. [as is, for example, currently the case in 2012].
For local elections, the considerations above may or may not be applicable, but one should give some thought as to whether qualifications or party affiliation is the more important parameter. It is sad that our political system has degenerated to such a state, but it is the fact of the matter.
MarcusEverett
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