With Election Day a few short days away, I have to pause and reflect on how the theme of "change" has shaped this excessively lengthy election season.
- For all the talk of "change" from both candidates, hasn't it been pretty much like always? Outrageous promises made from both sides, lacking details about how to implement plans or pay for them? Doesn't sound much like change to me.
- Power brokers continue to dominate the process. Obama, backed by Ted Kennedy and Speaker Pelosi, steamrolled the presumed frontrunner to capture the Democratic nomination based on his call for "change." On the other side, McCain chose Palin for his VP in an effort to placate the conservative/evangelical wing of his party. His call for change might just be the sort of "me too" approach we've seen in many elections, but either way his choice reflects the power behind the Republican party. Both cases reflect the same old story of the wielders of power (Democratic old guard or Republican base) dictating the actions of the candidates. Again, that doesn't sound like change to me.
- Money talks. Anybody catch the Obama infomercial? It underscored the sad truth that money is what makes any election go. McCain took public financing and is getting buried by Obama's money-raising machine. The federal government aka US taxpayers -- gave McCain a lump sumof $75 million for his campaign, and he's still buried. (I think I recall reading that Obama raised more than that in one month on at least two occasions.) "Money talks" is not change either.
Those of us hoping for change should do well to consider all the facts before voting next week. Sure, most Americans are tired of Bush -- most presidents wear out their welcomes after two terms, even the popular ones. Also, each new presidentmay bring in many of his own people to fill top jobs, but the federal bureacracy is so vast and entrenched that it would take a minor miracle to push real change down throughout the executive branch.
When you cast your vote, vote for the candidate that you think will honestly do a good job and not just a candidate that promises change. Remember, electing a goat for president would be change too...
