Over the past few months, I’ve been asked by a number of people in my hometown, to run again for an open seat on the Oxford Board of Alderman (i.e. City Counsel).  After many long talks with my lovely and supportive wife, we’ve decided that I just don’t have the desire  to pursue the seat again at this time.  During our ongoing discussion which has lasted for a good three months, I’ve wondered privately, why am I no longer interested?  Is it just because I lost the seat by a mere 15 or so votes previously and just don’t want to go through the process of begging and groveling for the adequate vote count this time?  Could it be that even at this level, you still have to spend (and this means raise) a good deal of money just to earn the opportunity to represent your neighbors and friends?  Or was it the few doors that got slammed in my face just because I had a “D” behind my name instead of an “R”?

Frankly, it’s probably all of the above, plus a few more that have infected Public Service from the very top of our system on down.  In this election season, this article by Matt Taibbi really encapsulates so much that has become wrong and corrupted in our system.  When we talk of the 1% vs. the 99%, is this what we are really talking about?  Take a moment to read this and think about what it says.  Iowa:  The Meaningless Sideshow Begins points out a very sad and sordid reality in our election process today.  It does come down in most cases to who raises the most money and unfortunately, it doesn’t come from one side or the other, but from some of the same sources, who just want you to do their bidding their way, regardless of your true political belief system.  That being the case, how do they really believe any differently than the other?

For me, I’ve already decided that I’ll probably vote my belief system, which is heavily Libertarian.  Yes, I realize that my guy probably won’t win because of our ‘crazy’ beliefs that don’t sync up with Wall Street, the Military Industrial Complex and our entrenched ‘Big Government’ way of life, but if we don’t put our foot down and resist this continuing charade, then we can only expect this crumbling system to continue.

Enjoy your primaries.  I’ll just continue to watch the Saints play.