November this year.

This year's elections may prove to be very interesting. There are interesting projections for the results of the elections. And, a fair number of people seem to be already sick of not only liberal policies, but the whole slew of politicians in general. This sounds positive, but I am not overly excited.

Why? We still have political parties! Okay, well maybe that is rather too high of a hope for the outcome of a turnaround in people's minds. But, really... that is what it is going to take. Or, something akin to it. I don't know... maybe candidates being people with public trust and virtue who are asked to rise to the occasion by the people, instead of self-focused political tryouts and status quo-oriented politicians.

Remember the days when it was inappropriate to run a campaign? No, of course not. That was before any of us were born. Do you remember reading about it?

And yes, two hundred years back it wasn't all light and glory. Not only was there corruption and dangerous economic schemes, we also had a lot of blight: some of the worst of which was a loathsome trade and traffic in human beings.

But, getting back to the point... when I scrutinize the arena of our government and the practice of this trade called politics, I come upon with at least two big problems, which, if not fixed, will hinder satisfaction with our role as the voters.(It will hinder my satisfaction, at least.)

1. Long-term service. Oh yes, it's nice that they are willing to serve their country so long--do you wander why?--but really, after a little bit of time in there (maybe even before they get in), they just seem to pickle and sour or start to rot outright. And part of it, I am sure, is the bureaucracy, special interest leverage, and this new devious practice called 'getting bills through.' But, yes, that comes with practice and that beautiful asset--experience.

What if you stuck a fisherman or an engineer or such in a Senator or Representative's seat, gave them minimal staff (maybe none--certainly not any with any experience on Capitol Hill or as lawyers), and swore them in to perform their duties as outlined in the Constitution (you know, that document that nobody reads anymore). Imagine also that this person was elected knowing he would only be able to serve one term--the people of his district/state were that fickle. What would happen? Think about it for a few minutes.

I quiver to think what would happen.

I guess that is one of the best ways I can illustrate the problem of long-term service. Needless to say, I will be giving the incumbent candidates this election cycle automatic doubt--unless there is really good reason to hedge that doubt.

2. Political parties are perhaps one of the greatest dangers to our governance of any malady that can beset it. I think President Washington warned about the rise of political parties in his farewell address (but I really need to double check that, and read the rest of it anyway).

The point is that political parties are one of the best ways to throw a wrench into the spokes our self-governing process--but such a malleable and slowing working wrench that we don't notice its insidious results. Do we wonder why elected officials listen more to their fund-raising buddies and political clubs than the people who voted them up there on their word to represent them?

Do we get tired of how choosing our leaders means tallying up the number we need to have to own the majority? And, why making laws for our nation means lining up the two sides for a political duel where, if you're not on one side, your not even in?

Do we notice that Republican conventions (I am just using them as an example because I have had some familiarity with this party's conventions. Feel free to fill me in on the way Democratic, or another party's, conventions go if they don't follow this paradigm.) are rallies for glorifying our wonderful party values, agenda, and mediocre candidates, when maybe, for once, we would just like more real discussion over the issues or not have to wonder why we can't just vote for the person who actually lines up the most with our convictions?

I could probably go on. I just wanted to emphasize how annoying, frustrating, and downright dangerous political parties are for leadership selection. Who ever thought they were necessary? Rather, I think they are the natural byproducts of a vicious competition for gaining power.

So, yes, this year's elections will be a good opportunity to use the political voice--something I have hardly yet been able to do. But, no... barring something akin to a breakdown of our entire political process, I don't see dramatic improvement coming out of it.