Why Change Isn't Always So Hot or Be Careful of What You Wish For

I received the following in email:

Remember the election in 2006? Thought you might like to read the following. A little over one year ago

1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;
2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon;
3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%.

Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:

1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.50 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.

America voted for change in 2006, and we got it!

We have to remember that when we want change, we must be specific in what change we want. It's like a Genie's wishes. If you aren't very specific about what you want, you don't get what you really want. I could ask the Genie for, say, a new car, but get one that was in an accident on the way off the showroom floor.

We need to think about the changes we want and, in the case of political candidates, who we think has the best chance of effecting those changes. And always remember, that just because someone is president, it doesn't mean they can get a bill passed. We need also to remember that every candidate is going to promise the world to get elected, but who has the character to carry through on those promises? Asking for change for change itself isn't smart.

We must remember that character is important. Character defines the person. Dictionary.com defines character as:

–noun
1. the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3. moral or ethical quality: a man (or woman -ed) of fine, honorable character.
4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.
5. reputation: a stain on one's character.
6. good repute.

When deciding on a political candidate, definitions 3-6 are the important issues to consider. No person is perfect, we all know this. So there is a little of the lesser of two evils, and a lot of who we perceive to be the better of the choices. For instance: who owes what to whom? Every candidate owes something to someone, but what do they owe? You might have a good idea by looking at the people surrounding the candidate. Might they be looking for a diplomatic post? A position on a Federal bench or, dare I say it? The Supreme Court itself? Maybe they want a pardon for themselves or someone else.

Speaking of the people surrounding the candidate, are they of good character? Just because they are working for someone doesn't mean they espouse the same values as the candidate.

My point is, don't vote for a candidate just because he's black, or she's a woman, or he's a war hero. Those are just the starting point. There's way too much at stake in November to make a decision based on what they look like, what they are promising, or something that happened 40 years ago.

The only way the average American citizen can win is to educate yourself on the candidates and to vote smart. That way, even if another candidate wins, you've done your job. And by voting you earn the right to complain. If you don't vote, keep your mouth shut. You haven't earned the right to complain.