A Matter of Politics

I don't usually voice my political preferences too often. Mostly because I'm a government employee and there's this thing called the Hatch Act which means I can't discuss or try to influence political issues at work or in work related arenas. Nor, can I run for political office.

Now, there are many Federal employees that are in their jobs as a direct result of their political activities. They are called political appointees and their sole purpose is to reap what they sowed, so to speak, while campaigning for their party. Their sole purpose is to push the agenda of their party while they are serving. I'm a career employee. Meaning, I may have to do as the leaders of the Executive Branch wish, but I'll be around long after they are gone working to clean up the mess they leave and trying to keep the mess from the new people from being worse than what was left behind. It is job security, because there will always be a new sheriff in town (in DC anyway) every 4-8 years at a maximum.

That being said, I have issues. My biggest beef? The age of John McCain. He is 71 years old. I think he'll be 72 before the elections. If he served 4 years he would be 76 when he left office and possibly 80 - if elected that is. Of course, in the current climate the possibility of another Republican Presidential win are slim to none. Regardless, the stress of that job has aged markedly every President. They look young and energetic when they go in, but are haggard and worn by the time they leave office. Only Jimmy Carter was blessed with the good luck to be beaten by Ronald Reagan before the stress demon took him from this life. Jimmy had stress. The Iran Hostage Crisis, the Ayatollah taking power from the Shaw of Iran before the Crisis, to name a few. Elvis died while he was in office, too. With the state of the world today, we need someone with some youth and energy left to be able to deal with the mess left by the current administration.

As for the Democrats...Hillary does have foreign affairs experience. She was able to observe the fine work of Madeline Albright. She isn't stupid and will make history whether she wins the nomination or not. First Lady, Presidential Candidate, Senator, a FEMALE... 'Nuff said about Hillary.

Barak Obama is another history maker. First, he's of African descent. I guess that makes him African American, since his father was from Africa, not a US citizen, but his mother was from Kansas. His name is his biggest downfall. Barak Hussein Obama. A very Muslim name, for a man who isn't himself a Muslim. His name could work for or against him, depending on how a person is leaning.

Here is my prediction for the Democratic ticket - I can't say for sure who will actually secure the nomination, but I think we will have a ticket of Hillary and Obama or Obama and Hillary. Now THAT will be something for the History books!

What remains to be seen is whether they will make so many changes that I can't stand my government job anymore. I do like this job. I'd sure hate to start hating it.

Time will tell. Definitely time to get my writing career wheels turning!