Aug 27, 2008 - We know Senator McCain lies, Senator Obama lies, and Senator Clinton lies. In 2008, McCain or Obama will be elected President. Roughly 60% - 75% of Americans will vote — roughly 200 million people will elect a naughty person to lead the United States. Being naughty and lying is something we discourage our kids (nephews and nieces in my case) from doing. Electing naughty people is something the American people accept; we feel there are no options. While democracy is better than the alternative (or becoming a colony ruled again by the British Empire), it makes me feel sad that we aren't offered a better selection, or that third-party candidates are denied their right as an American citizen to fairly compete, and have virtually insurmountable obstacles thrown up in front of them. I'm not severely depressed or suicidal, but sad, and sometimes angry when I'm denied the opportunity to vote for who I think would be most capable, or that because of the obstacles, that person won't even be running and I don't even know his or her name.
It's politics. That it's just politics is little consolation. It's also representative government. It's literally a matter between life or death. It's about freedom, and the ability to make informed choices to ensure a healthy democratic nation, under God (who also doesn't care much for lying, but politicians seem to find it convenient to frequently invoke His name), with liberty, and justice for all.
We scream that we want politicians to be held accountable if they violate ethics or break the law. If we elect candidates knowing they are naughty, are we holding them accountable, or do we only expect impeachment hearings or Senate and House subcommittees to hold elected officials accountable?