All Eyes Are on…

Iowa?

CNN has projected, with less than 25% of the votes counted, that Senator Obama and former Governor Huckabee have respectively won the Iowa caucuses. And, with the Presidential election more than eleven months away, not to mention the Democratic and Republican Conventions, I am already tired of the electioneering.

No, I was not sitting in front of my TV with eyes and ears attuned to the reports streaming in from Iowa. No, I am not now listening to the talking heads dissecting the caucuses and who the people of Iowa selected whom they selected. Alex and I were taking our respective catnaps while all of that hoopla was happening.

It wasn’t until about half an hour ago, when I turned on my computer and was inundated with reports flashing across hyperspace that I learned the projected outcomes. (Please remember the 1948 U.S. Presidential Election before banking your winning on the media projections).

I am neither non-political nor uncaring about what took place in Iowa this afternoon. I sincerely believe in democracy and the importance of an informed and voting electorate, without which we are in jeopardy of losing our democracy—and our much valued freedom.

Rather, I am tired of all of the campaigning. It is as if the 2008 Presidential candidates have been drumming up support even earlier that the merchants have been selling Christmas. And I am tired of it. I feel like hibernating until next November.

My congratulations to Senator Obama and to ex-Governor Huckabee. Beyond that, I have other things to do, like maybe re-reading the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, and Thomas Paine. Or, maybe reflecting on the insightful words of Mark Twain and Will Rogers, such as…

On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does. ~ Will Rogers

I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's. ~ Mark Twain

Now I am going to play with Alex.