I mean, what happened?

So, it’s another leap year, which means it’s another election season. I’ve lived long enough to really remember a couple such seasons. Of the seasons I can really remember, one feature always stands out that defines an election process: the slander. It seems that elections have become increasingly focused on which candidate/party can throw the most mud on the opposing candidate/party.

I guess the reason I decided to write this is due to a commercial I just saw while watching the Democratic National Convention. It was an ad put out in support of John McCain stating that despite increasing food prices and shaky social security, Obama wants to increase our taxes. It ended with the now-common question, “Is he ready to lead?”

My thoughts below the fold.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t increased taxes actually help us? People gripe and complain about having to pay taxes, but do they think about where that money goes? Do they think it is any coincidence that countries with higher tax rates (such as pretty much all of Europe) have better health care and often better standards of living?

People are complaining about the cost of gas, and often cite an overbearing tax on fuel. Well, since that tax goes towards paying for roads and highways – building better roads, keeping them in good condition, paying for law enforcement, etc. – I’ll happily pay it. Then the people look at Exxon’s profits and don’t really get angry at that link between those profits and gas prices. I find that odd.

With the economy as far down the toilet as it is, I personally would be in full support of increased taxes to try and remedy these problems. Hell, take half my paycheck if it means I’ll have full healthcare when I need it. I can pass on the beach house and new car. Just don’t raise our already unsolvable national deficit by borrowing more money from foreign powers that may not be that friendly towards us. That tactic may just have something to do with our current problems. (The war in Iraq is the first war in United States history that has been fought without raising taxes, and instead riding on foreign loans. The economy has done well because of it, huh?)

With the tax rant out of the way, let me address the smear ads. First of all, I put my fullest respect behind Obama for his resistance to engage in such acts despite the relentless attacks made by McCain’s campaign. With Biden as the VP nominee, we will start seeing the Democrats lobbing some bombs towards the Republicans, which does sadden me, but I can see the need in the current situation.

Where did we go wrong with our politics? Was it when we allowed corporations and religions to weed their way into our government? Was it when he with the biggest moneyclip was best fit to lead? I really don’t know, but it is despairing. And I know there is a lot to politics such as this, and far too much to get into for a short post like this...maybe some other time.

Now, here I may slip a bit towards a political leaning, turning this blog from an attempted neutral to a more Democratic tone. But, on the question of “Is he ready to lead?” I present to you a counter question: is a 72-year-old hawk who believes a gas tax holiday will relieve the people and who can’t remember how many houses he owns fit to lead?