Politically putrid: The deeper it gets, the more campaigns' garbage smells

Have you noticed that nothing in politics is ever anyone's fault?

No matter what the problem, there is always someone else to blame.

And this extends all the way from local government up to the highest levels in Washington, D.C.

Even the governor's office is not immune.

But let's start at the top.

All of a sudden every problem in this country has become the fault of current President George W. Bush. It is as if he has been alone in Washington all these years signing bills into law willy nilly -- bills he crafted on his own, by the way.

Now, there is reason to critique Bush's handling of the presidency. He has made some decisions that although principled, have left some doubt that his judgment was always sound or that his conviction was based in reality.

But he did not create the issues in the United States by himself.

The Democrats like to act as though they have had no say over the past eight years, that they have been the unintended victims of King George -- unable to create legislation, effect change or otherwise make a difference in the future of this country.

Balderdash.

And, by the way, if that were true, we should throw every one of them out of office as soon as we have the chance because they are all ineffectual. And the first place to start should be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

It is just another example of candidate spin.

The same is true here, too.

Notice that a good bit of State Sen. Kay Hagan's advertising in her bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is being paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee? Do you know what that means? It means outsiders are paying big bucks to determine who will represent North Carolinians in the U.S. Senate.

Think it is because they are really concerned about the future and the needs of citizens here? No way. They smell a chance to gain a seat in the U.S. Senate.

And that is not a tactic used solely by the Democratic Party, either, by the way.

And while you are looking closely at ads, check out the Bev Perdue-Pat McCrory race for governor -- and the school voucher argument.

Understand that the money that will be lost to public schools if a parent should choose to seek a different education for his or her son or daughter would be associated with the student. In other words, it is money designated for that student -- a student who will no longer be educated in the system and not adding any expense to the district.

And as if there isn't enough garbage in the air, Sen. Joe Biden popped up last week with another gem.

It seems that the vice presidential candidate says that it is our "patriotic duty" to pay taxes.

What?!

More hypocrisy. Perhaps Biden should talk to Sen. Barack Obama's Hollywood supporters and get them to sign up first for a more-taxes pledge. Three or four of those might take care of any deficit -- especially if they patriotically agreed to offer up 60 percent of their salaries. Surely if American families don't need any extra funds, celebrities could give up their Bentleys, $6,000 Prada handbags and maybe live in a $2 million house instead of a $15 millon mansion.

And while he is at it, perhaps Biden could get Sen. Charlie Rangel to just pay what he owes.

Stay tuned because there is going to be more silliness coming -- and trust us, it will be bipartisan.

Published in Editorials on September 20, 2008 11:07 PM