Songs without Words

I really regret forgetting to register to vote (why does NC have such an early deadline for absentee ballot application?? Geh, I’m definitely going to remember to register for the 2008 elections!).

Congress right now has really been nothing but disappointments. There are two dimensions on which I can respect Congress – first, obviously, if that Congress supports my views on various issues; but secondly, too, if that Congress gets something done, shows devotion to its principles, and has some sense of ethical behavior. But the GOP majority is safely incorrigible on both accounts. In terms of laws, I see almost nothing happening – just hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into a war that should be over, leading to one of the most hilarious and sickening ironies – the party that’s supposed to be fiscally conservative and thus capable of lowering taxes has managed to raise a humongous deficit. There’s no doubt that the solution, sooner or later, will be the same that Reagan arrived at – taxes will need to be raised. So Bush doesn’t have any argument when he says the Dems want to tax every breathing thing. Taxes are only one dimension – what the government gives back is what determines if the taxes were collected for a purpose or in vain.

But even policies aside, the Republicans in Congress have managed to set a new feat: having more scandals than laws passed (an exaggeration, but it really seems that way, doesn’t it?). For a party that represents the Evangelical Right, it sure seems to be somewhat lacking in the faith. Taking bribes and coveting everything left and right? Having pedophilic homosexual relationships with kids? It makes the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage seem like a plea of denial, not of adherence to faith. (Do note that it is the extramarital and pedophilic nature of that sex scandal that bothers me, not the homosexual part.)

In any case, despite all of this, I recently looked at a news site’s prediction table for the outcome of these elections, and there isn’t a guaranteed usurp on the part of the Democrats. Despite outrage at the hopeless nature of the Republicans, many voters are probably ideologically unable to switch their votes to a party that, while perhaps more effective, would be pursuing exactly the opposite agenda. Nevertheless, I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this. As much as I dislike those bizarre people on the streets who spread sensationalist propaganda about conservatives in government, we really need to oust this incompetent set of people I wouldn’t even call Congressmen(/women).