VOTE "no" redux

For the Christian who suffers from an overwrought sense of their own iniquities politicians and politics are a divine gift. They provide us with an entire class of individuals to whom we can, to our advantage, compare ourselves. What is it about politics and political personalities that permit us to enhance our self-image. Many things! Here is one: A candidate spends millions of dollars for a job that pays but a fraction of that. Immediately, this disparity between money spent and benefits received places a gloomy shadow of suspicion across the candidate’s intelligence or his integrity.

Election season is upon us. This is that brief period when we are inundated with testimonials, promises and allegations worthy of the epithet “mud slinging.” Every candidate has “the plan” while every candidate’s opponent is a disaster in waiting. Our intelligence is brought into question when we, in the face of the experience of repeated election cycles demonstrating the truth that politician’s lie, believe the promises of a candidate.

The names and faces change but not the misrepresentations. Elections are upon us again and so is lying season. Solomon might have been issuing a political editorial when he wrote: Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be. And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.”

So, after this diatribe why would I jump into the swamp of politics? As is true for all politicians because I have an agenda, a selfish agenda. My dear beloved spouse initiated this blog. She penned several worthy articles and created a modest fan base. And just when she got things really rolling she ceased to write (that fear of success nonsense). Here is the proposition: Sandy will write the next blog article and do so within the next week. Please cast your vote “yes” or “no” (if you are tempted to vote “no” please consider my good friend Guido) via the comment section. I now officially step from the political quagmire to clean myself up and thank you. (vote "no")

10/14/06: Sandy, my dear and precious wife, you are tampering with the election. I am stunned that you would stoop to threaten the electorate. Cease and desist! If you continue this grossly inappropriate behavior you will suffer a purgative tickling. And you voters: What’s with all this offering alternatives nonsense? It’s very simple (Tom): a “yes” or “no” vote. Vote “yes” and Sandy writes the next blog article. Vote “no” and you will suffer my scribal wailings and gnashing of tooth (and the one tooth I have is long). By the way, upon closing of the poll and the counting of the ballots the votes totals will be referred to the electoral high school.