A Bit of Election Perspective

First, a personal note. To the one or two of you who missed me these past few weeks, sorry. Things got a bit hectic at home and, believe it or not, there are things in my life more important than this blog. For what it's worth, I'm back.

Well, the election's tomorrow and I suppose I should comment on it. Unfortunately, all my vehement exhortations have already been expressed by others, so my thunder has been reduced to a pathetic pop. But let me offer some perhaps out-of-the-box observations.

First, to all those who will be disappointed and even distraught by the results, take heart. As the Desiderata observes, "Although it may not always be clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should." Also, I believe God is alive and well, and is looking out for us in spite of our follies.

I'm not going to try to convince you to vote as I want you to, mainly because anyone with two or more working brain cells has already made up his or her mind and nothing I say will make any difference. So, go cast your vote and let the devil take the hindmost.

There has been much--much too much--hyperventilational rhetoric, accusations, rebuttals and outright smeary lies in this campaign. Excess "outside money" is not the problem, absolute disregard for the truth is. The philosophy of "say anything to get elected" has become pervasive for both sides, which I'm sure creates much confusion among some voters. My advice? Disregard it all. Look at who the candidate is, his political philosophy, his record and, as much as possible, his character. The rest is all--as the Germans say--Sturm und Drang. Or, as Will Shakespeare observed, "...full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Remember that most candidates are not the spawn of the devil. Even our much-reviled President is not the Antichrist. (Oh come now, he really isn't!) Most politicians and politician-wannabe's are basically decent folks with perhaps an obsession for power and control, which is certainly not unheard of in our world. Their philosophies and sometimes their methods are anathema to many of us, but most of them really think they are doing what is best for the country--or at least not harming it--while benefiting themselves in the bargain. The difference is philosophy and methods.

That's not to say there isn't danger. Some powerful folks, political and otherwise, ascribe to a world-view that diminishes the stature of the United States in favor of a one-world Utopian paradigm. This is not in our best interest as a nation and a free people. Watch out for this in all its permutations; it is a clear and present danger to our way of life. Again, these are not evil people, at least not most of them, just horribly misguided. It has been said there is greater danger from well-meaning fools than from villains.

About "big government" and the promises to "rein it in," take them with a grain of salt. Government today bears no resemblence to what was envisioned by our founders and it never will. Big government is here to stay. Ronald Reagan's "ten scariest words in the English language": "Hello, I'm from the government and I'm here to help!" have come to fruition, in spades! There is no way to turn back the clock. All we can do is try to put in place men and women of good character who place the best interests of our nation above their own to run it.

So, take ten steps backwards, away from the campaign signs, and try to see the larger picture in perspective. Vote for the man or woman, not the rhetoric and promises. In the end, only character--values and priorities--matters.

And always remember, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.