Today I saw a politician doing what politicians do.
Asking for a vote.
In this case it was a local state senator, asking for votes by planting a lawn sign alongside a road on a pleasant, brisk Halloween afternoon.
It's not quite as dramatic as having the president of the United States at a big rally the day before, elsewhere here in Connecticut -- but it was of the same ilk.
I've known a few politicians over the years, in offices large and small, local and national. And while I didn't like all of them or agree with them, I had some respect for most of them. They did something.
Today I saw a politician doing what politicians do.
Asking for a vote.
In this case it was a local state senator, asking for votes by planting a lawn sign alongside a road on a pleasant, brisk Halloween afternoon.
It's not quite as dramatic as having the president of the United States at a big rally the day before, elsewhere here in Connecticut -- but it was of the same ilk.
I've known a few politicians over the years, in offices large and small, local and national. And while I didn't like all of them or agree with them, I had some respect for most of them. They did something.
Sometimes I wonder about the undisguised contempt I hear from a lot of people, most of whom should know better, when they talk about "politicians." It amazes me that they're so contemptuous of people that our system absolutely requires in order to work. People willing to put themselves on the line for the kind of rejection most of us go through great lengths to avoid. Most of us find job interviews or asking for a date anxiety provoking experiences. Imagine asking for that date on the wide-screen TV at a football stadium or having your job interview posted on YouTube?
Yes, there are politicians who seek office for the wrong reasons. And there are doctors who care for money instead of caring for patients, soldiers inspired by glory-seeking instead of duty, clergy drive by the love of attention instead of the love of God, etc.
And I'll grant that there are some pretty sorry candidates in some races. But guess what? There are plenty of citizens who have just as much of a vote as you do who think that sorry-ass candidate is great and they're going to come out and vote next Tuesday. Will you?
If you don't I don't want to hear you complaining about the result, especially if you're one of those pretentious twits who despises all those "politicians" because you don't compromise YOUR principles. You stay pure.
Adults recognize that you rarely get to choose between an angel and a devil. There wasn't much to choose from between Hitler and Stalin, but choosing between them is what Churchill had to do. Surely whatever lousy choice you may have to make in your local race it's hardly as grim as THAT choice, even if you're living in Arizona, Kentucky, Florida, Colorado or Delaware!