There have been a few times over the last several years where someone has suggested that I should run for a political office. That is something that I have never seriously considered nor ever desire to do. All one has to do to see the ugliness in the world of politics is to turn on the television or radio, pick up a newspaper, or log onto the Internet. Name-calling, finger-pointing, arguing, personal insults and more will never bring unity to a Nation, or even a City.
I personally know just exactly how ugly politics can get as I have seen it first-hand. It was back in the mid 1990's when my Dad was running in a Primary Election, as a Republican, for one of the thirty-five Senate districts in the sate of Alabama. At the time, in the district in which he was running, there was a well known Democratic politician that held that position and there had been numerous speculations of dishonesty with that individual. Imagine that, a dishonest politician! That only happens in Hollywood movies and Best-Selling Novels, right? I'm not going to go into great details here but before election night there appeared to be a good possibility that my Dad could win. And if he had, he would have been the opponent to that Democratic Senator. With not trying to sound like a "sore looser", the other Republican candidate won, but there did seem to be some improprieties that had taken place. There were also some unusual incidents that occurred involving some of the personal properties owned by my Dad and Step-Mom. Whether or not that Democratic Senator had direct or indirect involvement with any of this, or perhaps it was some of his followers and supporters, could have never been proven, but it still left questions for those of us who were concerned. So again, no thanks, there are no political aspirations by me! But I will do what I can to help keep in check those who are elected to serve "WE the PEOPLE".
"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another. There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume." - George Washington's Farewell Address 1796
The Democrats will say they know what is best for everyone. The Republicans will say they know what is best everyone. Often personal attacks are made from the Democrats against the Republicans, and of course the Republicans plays the same game with personal attacks against the Democrats. How many times have you seen a picture of George W. Bush or Donald Trump being depicted as Hitler? How many times have you seen a picture of Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton being depicted as Hitler? The Democrats will make an outrageous comments about the Republicans and how they are out to destroy America. The Republicans will make an outrageous comments about the Democrats and how they are out to destroy America. If the Democrats and the Republicans are such a danger to America, then perhaps they both should be replaced!
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can truly and adequately represent all of "WE the PEOPLE" since their ideals are so far apart in the first place. As I have said in elsewhere, many times over now, I am neither a Democrat or a Republican. While I do have conservative beliefs, I consider myself to be a Right-leaning Centrist. In 2008 as I became more and more concerned as to the direction our Country was headed, I started becoming more vocal on national political issues. I was not overly impressed with any of the candidates, Democrat or Republican, that was running for President then. This was the same year in which I started paying closer attention to more local political issues, specifically with the city of Anniston in Alabama and it's Mayor and City Council. In 2012, again I was not overly impressed with any of the Democratic or Republican candidates running as President and I had continued to become more vocal on political issues, both nationally and local. Before the 2016 elections and as I had continued to be vocal on political issues, some of which were postings made on social media, was when I was contacted by a National 3rd Party that was represented in Alabama and was asked if I'd like to join them. Within a few days after that invitation, I was contacted by someone from the Veterans Party of America, this one of course piqued my curiosity a little bit more. As it turned out I did start supporting this Party. I even assisted in the production or creation of some of the "Memes" that were used on their Facebook Page. For just over a year, as a volunteer, I also served as the State Chair for the Party in Alabama. Although I stepped down from that position I still firmly believe in their mission. "The mission of the Veterans Party of America is to not only place candidates in office who will uphold the Constitution of the United States but who will also hold all other elected and appointed officials to the same standards." It is actually a result of my involvement with the Veterans Party of America that made me more aware of some of the many issues facing our Veterans. This in turn introduced me to some of the many fantastic Alabama based Veteran-operated non-profit organizations that continue to support those Veterans. While I still maintain a strong interest in politics, as the actions politicians take can affect all our lives, I have a special place in my heart now to support and promote those Alabama based Veteran-operated non-profit organizations that continue to support those Veterans. (That'll be yet another future article to be written...)
Now this may cost me some friends, and if it does I've got no problem with that, but in 2016 I did not vote for Trump and of course I did not vote for Clinton. The words from Ted Cruz, "Vote your conscience", in a way, helped me make my choice. On my ballot, I wrote in the names of Chris Keniston, an Air Force Veteran, for President and Deacon Taylor, an Army Veteran, for Vice-President. I knew that they really had no chance of winning, but it was how I wanted to make my voice heard. Now I know what others always say about voting for a 3rd Party, "It's a wasted vote!". "Voting for a 3rd Party is just a vote for the Democrats.", "You're just throwing away your vote." I thought of the quote by John Quincy Adams that also helped me make my choice, "Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost." In the 2016 election the Veterans Party of America received 7,251 popular votes in the presidential race, or 0.00005% of the vote. This was with having full ballot access in Colorado, Louisiana, and Mississippi and had write-in access in over 10 states. No, that's not a lot of votes, but for such a newly formed, or re-formed, political party, it wasn't really that bad either. And of course the Democratic and Republican Parties do make such strict restrictions on 3rd and Independent Parties for ballot access and participation in national debates.
As a personal side-note, on August 17, 2015, 11 days before my 52nd birthday, in the shadow of Mt. Rushmore the Veterans Party of America formally announced it's candidates. Of course Mt. Rushmore had been one of those places I had visited many times when I was in the US Air Force and stationed at nearby Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. And just for clarification purposes one does not have to be Veteran to be a part of the Veterans Party of America. This Party has had and are always looking for candidates running for elections across the Country, from the National level, State level and all the way down to the local level.
In a January 8, 2018 article from Gallup it states, "Last year, 42% of Americans, on average, identified as political independents, erasing the decline to 39% seen in the 2016 presidential election year. Independent identification is just one percentage point below the high of 43% in 2014. Twenty-nine percent of Americans identify themselves as Democrats and 27% as Republicans." In a previous article posted on this Blog, "Disagree, But Be Civil To Each Other While Reaching For That Common Ground", I state that I have never fully supported the Democratic Party and have since grown tired of the Republican Party and that I believe them both to be corrupt. And as I said earlier in this article, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can truly and adequately represent "WE the PEOPLE" since their ideals are so far apart.
The term, "strange bedfellows" is said to may have been invented by Shakespeare, "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.". In regards to politics today, it seems to represent that politicians will form peculiar associations just so they can win more votes. But no matter how you may look at it, it is "Left Wing, Right Wing, Both Belong To The Same Bird". In "The Declaration of Independence" it states, in part, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." I think again that if the Democrats and the Republicans are such a danger to America, as they each claim, then shouldn't they both be replaced?
Back in 2012, with the city elections in Anniston, then Mayor Gene Robinson and Councilmen Ben Little and Herbert Palmore were replaced. Councilman Little, who lost to Seyram Selase, believes the election results were flawed and made accusations that poll workers removed ballots from the polling place and allowed people to vote more than once. After a runoff, David Reddick won to replace Herbert Palmore. Millie Harris also won after a runoff and Jay Jenkins was reelected. If you were to do a quick Internet search on Robinson, Little or Palmore you'd be sure to find news stories of lawsuits, assaults, arrest, and claims of racism by other members of the council and including the Anniston Police Department. In 2011 an Anniston City Council meeting ended with a physical fight with Mayor Robinson's arm in a sling and City Councilman John Spain being charged with third degree assault. David Dawson, yet another former Anniston City Councilman, who was first elected in 2008 and resigned in April 2012, made the news too when he was arrested for stealing more than $5,000 from his former employer, Anniston Pathology Associates. Some of those names listed here certainly reflect traits that aren't exactly fine, upstanding and trustworthy. Again I'm reminded of the line from the 1989 movie "Batman", "This town needs an enema.", as spoken by the "Joker"!
I, for one, had thought that when Anniston attorney and longtime municipal judge Vaughn Stewart along with most of the Anniston City Councilors had been replaced by the Voters that there was a glimmer of hope. Mayor Stewart soon introduced "One City, One Vision", which included a plan of investing over $500,000 in preschool programs, hiring an economic development specialist, building new infrastructure to attract business and more. He made this statement, "The state of the city is in motion. For the first time in a long time, and in no small part due to the efforts of thousands of Annistonians, we’re finally moving forward. Onward." In the 2016 Anniston elections, Ben Little regained his seat as City Councilman for Ward 3. Councilors Harris, Jenkins and Reddick won reelection and Jack Draper was elected as Mayor. This new city administration got into it's first big disagreement even before being sworn in. The original plans called for everyone to take their oath of office in the municipal courtroom in the Justin Sollohub Justice Center, which is adjacent to the city's police department and jail. Two council members, Little and Reddick who represent majority-black constituencies, vehemently objected to this idea and threatened to hold their own swearing in ceremony simultaneously at another location. Councilman Little said his residents didn't feel comfortable coming to a jail and police building to take part in their city's government. And now, he and Councilman David Reddick of Ward 2 seem to act as "bed fellows" that continue to obstruct the city of Anniston's progress. Another quick Internet search of these two names and you're sure to finds more news stories, some of which will once again include claims of racism by other members of the council to include Harris, Jenkins and Mayor Jack Draper, all of which are White.
I would like one day for the American Voters to have a viable choice of a candidate rather than one from just another the Democrat or the Republican to represent them all across the country, from the state level all the way down to the local level. But those 2 Major Parties have made such strict restrictions on 3rd and Independent Parties for ballot access and participation in national debates that that vision may be a long way away. That is unless of course "WE the PEOPLE" finally stand up and in one voice say that we've had enough of their "shenanigans"! And I'm sure I not the only that knows of a few on the Anniston City Council that should be replaced, as it seems that they have become destructive to the city as a whole.
"In each and every election, it's your rights, it's your freedoms, it's your interests that are on the ballot." - Senator Todd Young (R-IN)
[DISCLAIMER: All comments posted by me are my own thoughts and are not those of my place of employment or any agencies or organizations that I may be affiliated with.]
