Those darn do-gooders

A recent emailer recently wrote something positive about a group called "Conservatives for Quality Government."

In more that 45 years of covering the governmental process from a lot of angles, I can attest to one thing without equivocation: Any group with a high-falutin’ name with certain “key” words or “phrases” in its name is not reliable, has focused on a single-issue item, and are more “agin” something than they are “fir” it.

In the example above, I would automatically surmise that “Conservatives for Quality Government” are not conservatives and do not want quality government. Those high-sounders are, in fact, more than likely right wing-nuts who don’t want “quality” government, but want a government that agrees with their philosophy du jour.

Taking that logic to the next level, it’s a safe bet that “Concerned Citizens for…” anything – Quality Government, Quality Education, Safe Streets, Abolishing Drugs – are more interested in pushing their own personal agenda than they are in the societal Big Picture.

Money (think special interest groups, political action committees, and just plain too-rich-and-mean-to-die folks) runs his country, not the vote that each of us individually cast.

Most folks think their vote counts, but never stop to consider that their vote was purchased at some point.

Some votes are bought by tradition: “My grandpappy as a Democrat and that’s good enough for me!” Some are bought by one-issue platforms: “Whoever the NRA supports, count me in!” Some are influenced by the dumbest of reasons: “Did you see all the yard signs for the WASP county judge candidate? He must be all right!”

Some folks vote straight ticket ballots. It’s hard not to feel sorry for those who do not have enough matter in the brainpan to research and vote for the best candidate, not ones selected by simple R and D labels.

In a perfect world, there would be no party affiliations about which to ponder. Voters would cast ballots for a person based on experience, deeds and ideas and the ability to communicate those to a mass audience.

Unfortunately, we have become a nation of lethargic dreamers walking in a deep rut. We might want a better system and a better cast of characters from which to choose, but, as a whole, we don’t want to exert ourselves to make necessary changes.

When it comes to politics, we have forgotten two age-old truisms:

1) When a person runs for public office, at some point in the race – and assuredly after the race, if elected –that person will lie.

And,

2) A rut is simply a grave with both ends open. So get out of it as soon as you are able.