Vote 2012

At a very young age, I was indoctrinated as a Republicans by my family.  When I was in 2^nd grade my older brother gave me a “Vote for Reagan” campaign button and at school when the teacher gave us a “Remember to Vote” ribbon,  I wrote “Vote for Reagan” all over it in red ink.   Later in 6^th grade, I was the only kid in class who raised their hand when asked who would vote for Reagan.  Back then, I couldn’t understand what people saw in Mondale.  

Ronald Reagan was something like a movie star to me back then.  Even after I found out  that he actually-kinda was a movie star turned politician, my remembrance of watching him on TV is like remembering watching Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments on Easter.  Somehow you always knew God was on Reagan's side.

When I was finally the age to vote, we were well into the Clinton Era.  I studied journalism in college and interned at an affiliate station in Austin.  While I was there I actually escorted George W. Bush down the steps of the Texas Governor’s Mansion when he was elected as Governor.  I’m not sure where Ann Richards was nor why W. was already in the Governor’s mansion for the photo-op but there he was, along with his dad who seemed pretty surprised that he won.

Fast forward to today.   The political landscape has completely changed.  We’re living in a post-Karl Rove era.  Where Clintons again dominate the landscape and where Obama is living the dream.  Republicans are sworn enemies to Democratsand the party is losing footing on a constituency that’s becoming moreethnic.   Although money still pervades politics, it’s the Republican party that has an image problem with their ties to the rich, which is readily apparent in a short and satirical Simpsons YouTube encouraging people to vote.

I frankly don’t know if the Republican party of my youth will ever return.   At this point, reaching across the aisle and compromise is being replaced only by what’s good for corporations.   It’s been well over 50 years since we’ve had a real world war.  Since then companies have grown into corporations and corporations into conglomerates.   We’re living in the age of growing disparity in wealth and that wealth currently owns the political system on both sides of the aisle.

What’s left is people’s voice.  Go out and vote.  Your vote counts more than any loud shock jock’s ratings hyping opinion.