What image do you see when you hear the word "Politician?  Does it put a smile on your face?  Probably not...but you may feel frustrated and full of apathy when it comes to voting.  Do you feel your "politicians" reflect your values, morals, etc.?  Do you think your vote REALLY counts?

During the 2000 election, I was appalled to find out that "absentee" ballots  were not counted in elections unless it was a close race.  During most of my adult life I have voted by absentee ballots!  What a let down to realize my voting made no difference and my effort to vote was for not!  I personally feel this is a slap to our military, whom by and large vote by absentee ballot.

Back to that "warm and fuzzy" feeling you get when you hear "Politician".  I think they are a hindrance to the political system....they have outlived their usefulness!  Our forefathers drafted an awesome Declaration of Independence and Constitution....BUT the PROCESS of representation should be revisited, in light of technological advances.  Two hundred years ago we had primitive forms of communication compared to today.  Government had to find a way to communicate back and forth with the people...hence representation.

According to history, locals would gather together and talk about who would be a "good" spokesman for their community.  They would then approach that person to see IF he would be willing to represent them...hence a candidate was born.  TODAY, an individual thinks, "I am the person these poor little sheep need to lead them out of harms way....I will spend my millions of dollars to plaster my face during every commercial to convince the masses to vote for ME!"

Don't get me wrong...I still feel we need the separate branches of government, and a President.  It's the BODIES of REPRESENTATION that need to be REWORKED!  Human nature takes over once people perceive themselves to be "all powerful".  All of a sudden they put forth their own personal agendas, and forget who they represent!  They forget their mission and spend considerable time on "extracurricular activities", they listen more to lobbyists than to constituents...they fight among themselves to the point of "NO PROGRESS" for issues that need to be addressed...a total stall for FEAR!  THEY MAY NOT GET REELECTED!  From day one, they are in "campaign mode" and are afraid to make decisions, because it may not be the popular stand.  

How long will we continue to let a few hundred people clog the system?  How long will we allow all the "perks" to be the goal for politicians instead of "service to the people"?  Are there decent politicians?  Of course there are...but they are few and far between or dead.  

Are you looking forward to the next major elections or dreading them? 
MAYBE IT'S TIME WE THINK ABOUT WHY IT NO LONGER EXCITES US TO VOTE FOR THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS!