Why Can't I live In Iowa?

Man, I wish I lived in Iowa today. There's probably nothing like the unbridled passion of being the first presidential caucus state. I think it's great that Iowa maintains its self-appointed status as "important because we're first." What does it matter if the turnout for the Repblican party in the entire state will likely be less than the population of my home suburb?

Every successive presidential race seems to devolve into a more despicable spectacle than the last. Honestly, is anyone excited about ANY of the current candidates? Not one of these people is someone I would ideally want representing me around the world and representing the best that the U.S. has to offer. Perhaps presidential candidates in my youth were no more intelligent or qualified but at least they seemed a bit more respectful and dignified. That probably isn't the case but rather an artifact of a less intrusive media. As everyone knows, JFK was quite the bed-hopper as president. He had a lot more extramarital sex than Clinton ever did while in office but the media never reported it. Maybe this was respect for the office but I think it was also just a sign of the times. There was no 24 hr new media fighting for ratings back then. You had the three major networks and they had a half hour of evening news in which to cover all the important stuff.

So maybe presidential timber was not much better stock back then but I still prefer those days. I don't want to know about the sexual escapades of presidents. I don't want to see candidates eating pork chops on a stick or deep fried twinkies. None of that phoney, folksy schmaltz matters to me. I would like to hear substantive discussions about what the candidates think. And they should have to answer tough questions. They shouldn't be able to simply say, "I pledge 100 million to education in the next 4 years" without someone asking where the money will come from, who will be doling it out, how they are going to keep track of it, and how they are going to measure the success of the expenditure. But this will never happen.

So, every four years we have to sit through useless debates where candidates spew forth non-answers. We have to endure endless commercials targeted at the fearful elderly, the uneducated masses, or the self-righteous youth. And in the end we'll elect someone because they are telegenic or well-spoken or quick with a quip or someone we'd like to have a beer with. But I think it's unlikely we'll elect someone who is qualified to lead the most powerful nation on Earth through a very challenging period in history. The reason is because such a person knows that he or she must be surrounded by more intelligent people who can actually accomplish the necessary goals. The problem with our usual crop of candidates is that they are are collection of multi-millionaires won't don't believe there is anyone more intelligent than they are. The ego it takes to run for president in today's America simply doesn't allow the people to seek out brilliant, independant thinkers for advice. Instead our leaders surround themselves with people who simply affirm their own grandiose self-image.

I have little hope that any of the current candidates can successfully address the most pressing issues our country faces (e.g., energy costs, health care, social security, globalization). I only hope that we elect someone who will at least display the poise and dignity that will help restore some of the respect others in the world have had for our nation. Our president shouldn't act like one of us. He or she should try to elevate us.