Election Bruhaha

I hear that word a lot; brouhaha… When I type it, it doesn’t look like a word that should describe what it does. In fact, the more I look at it, the less it looks like a word at all…

*shrug*

Regardless of whatever word you use to illustrate it, the presidential election this year is going to be an absolute circus. It’s only a few days away from the “big day”, and already the tension is mounting. Calls of voter fraud and tampering can already be heard, and if you listen really close, you can also hear the sound of a thousand little knives being sharpened by a thousand little lawyers. Years ago, after the first time a general election outcome was contested in the courts, I said that we would be VERY fortunate if we ever had another election without it.

What pains me the most is that in the end it really won’t mean all that much. Regardless if McCain or Obama are elected, we’re still going to find ourselves in a sorry state, and like as not heading into an even sorrier one. For some reason I can’t begin to figure, most of the time people agree that politicians are not to be trusted, yet during an election year they let themselves believe every word that comes from the lips of the one they choose to support. Rabid proponents of Obama believe he is the symbol of change, while equally rabid proponents of McCain think he is the only one who can save us from those “evil” democrats and lead us to victory over terrorism.

All of you rabid supporters come see me in three years if your guy gets elected. I’ll be willing to bet none of the things you thought were going to happen actually happened.

I know what you’ll say though: It was all because of an opposition Congress or whatever shenanigans the other party did to crater your guy’s efforts. Save it, I’ve heard it all before. The truth is your guy (whoever he is) isn’t going to be any more useful than the last 3 or 4 who sat in his chair (note: If you think Clinton actually got things done, you can leave my blog now).

What worries me the most isn’t what the guy is going to do when he gets elected. It’s what it will take away from this country to get him elected. Hints of violence are already lurking in the shadows, and the polarization effect of American politics seems to be on steroids. Right now, I’m not hoping for one guy over the other, I’m just hoping for a clean, clear election where the winner is not immediately in dispute.

Right now, I’m hoping their wont be riots.

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