God or Mammon 2

Mark Twain said, "If voting made any difference, they wouldn't let us do it."

Our 16yr old daughter, who has recently decided she doesn’t like the name Piper, which is fine because it's not her real name, asked if she could vote for me this November.  This arrangement took shape after she asked who I wanted to be POTUS. I explained I wished there was a viable alternative to the two candidates. As the campaigns have rolled along, I have decided to opt out for many reasons, but greed is the biggest. The money spent [on campaigns] is obscene and reeks of Satan's influence and corruption. 

So, she will drive us to our polling place, we will walk in together, I will surrender my John Hancock, flash my DL with my ridiculously handsome mug shot. She will enter the booth, alone, and she has permission to do her thing, thumbs up, thumbs down, go to town, have a ball, and knock herself out.  I realize the hypocrisy of opting out but allowing, and even condoning, my daughter's  participation in a process I just described as corrupt and influenced by Satan.  I'll have to revisit that one at a later date.  

She's excited to vote Josh Mandel (R) for OH Senate and I believe she will cast a vote for President Obama. A Republican and a Democrat... she may be on to something. Shifting the paradigm? It is refreshing she hasn't been tainted by the Red vs Blue rhetoric. At this young age, political party seems to be a non-factor.

For starters, $14 million has been collectively spent by both candidates for the Ohio Senate seat. Another $11 million is at the ready. Both candidates will likely spend $25 million, minimum, in an attempt to win one senate seat. What, if any, value did that bring to the our community? $25 million. POOF. Gone.   

President Obama and Mitt Romney respond, “$25 million won’t buy you $24 million.”  Our 2012 presidential candidates spent $2.0 billion.  $336 million gone.  A whole bunch more will be consumed like straw and hay.

But, the 2008 presidential campaigns laugh at 2012. Not one of those regular, everyday laughs, but one of those doubled over on the floor, stomach knotted, choking, tears running down a beet red face, I think I might die laughs that take ten minutes for your breath to return.  

In Little League, it's called the 10 Run Mercy Rule. 2008 spending of scissored kicked 2012 in the back of the head. According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, a record $2.4 billion was been spent during the 2008 presidential election. 

She, our daughter, hasn't realized politics is about money, not ideas.  It's about money, not people.  That money has strings.  Long leashes.  A long standing quid pro quo contract.  An eye for an eye.  Dare I say compensation for a future favor?  It's God or mammon, at least from my perspective, because Satan controls the world's systems and the political system might be his most powerful.

As for midterm elections, I have our son, who will be 14 then, possibly vote or our middle child, our daughter who happens to have Down Syndrome, who will be 17.   Plenty of time to decide.