Closing Election Musings From the Dude

Posted by Dude at 02:59 PM in politics . | 4 Comments

Since I will be out of my office until Wednesday, and that's where I always stimulate my brain at disjointed, I had a few thoughts about the election I wanted to share.

First, I will be glad when it's over. I enjoy talking to all you guys (even Karen, Emily and Brette) and think we have the best discussions when the political stuff stays light-hearted. This close to such a crazy election, that has become almost impossible. Fortunately, this only happens once every 4 years.

I was laying awake last night and thinking about voting. It's a great thing (obviously), but I was thinking about how...well...weird it is. In other words, we take all these issues that even those of us who are really informed don't know alot about when you get right down to it, and we all instantly become experts! It's actually kind of humorous. We talk about foreign policy and we're so sure of ourselves...but we weren't there in the war room when the President's advisors gave him their briefings...we haven't worked on intelligence issues or negotiated on behalf of the US with the UN or other countries. Most of us didn't fight the war, we just armchair quarterback it. On domestic issues...we weren't there in the halls of congress to watch the legislative battles unfold...or to research the issues with the appropriate government agencies. Yet, all of our opinions must be counted as equally valid, whether we are fully informed or not. It would be like having to elect a new brain surgeon down at the hospital...and even though we really know nothing about brain surgery, we all vigorrously debate it for months on end, and the brain surgeon himself has to pretend that we all don't look like idiots to him as we become experts on his profession by proxy.

It's really a glorious blessing to have our opinions mean that much, but it also bears a great responsibility. From President down to dogcatcher, may the best candidates win.

God bless America.