Everywhere I go these days, whether it’s to Wal-Mart, or off to work, I am surrounded by people that are fascinated by this year’s Presidential election.  And as my wife can tell you, I am not an exception.  It seems everyone has a personal stake in today’s politics.  With gas prices through the roof, food prices out of control, and the housing market falling out from below our feet, people want change, and they want it now.

First, what is change all about?  I’ve been hearing Obama preach “change” for 19 months, and I am as confused about what he wants to do now as I was 19 months ago.  What change can I expect one man to deliver me?  But it seems to be catching on, as every politician I hear is selling change, even those who have been in office for 20+ years.  Well, I personally like America as it is, thank you very much!  But I digress; this is about King and Country, and not about the consistency of change, which sounds like a good title for another blog.

The Constitution of this Great Nation describes the three powers of government.  In Article 1, Congress is described in 10 sections; Article 2 describes the President’s powers in 4 small sections; and finally, Article 3 describes the lowly status of the Supreme Court in 3 simple sections.  And nowhere in the Constitution does it say there shall be created 3 separate but equal powers.  Nowhere…  So what, right?  What does this have to do with anything?  Well, I’ll tell you.  In the last 19 months, I have seen men and women alike fighting for the highest single position in the world -- the Presidency.  I have seen hours, days, weeks, and months of coverage about nothing else.  I have not, however, seen more than a 30 second plug about any of the 35 Senate seats that are up for grab, or the 435 House seats.  The Congress, as set by the Constitution, is the most powerful entity; they hold every power within their hands.  Our current President has a 38% approval rating; Congress has a 9% approval rating.  Where have our priorities gone?

I can’t say that I am a Republican, however I have voted for nothing but Republicans for the 7 years I have been allowed to vote.  I consider myself a staunch Conservative, with a little lower case “liberal”, and a dash of lower case “libertarian”.  I will vote for whichever party will protect me and my rights the best.  So, to those Republicans who keep complaining about judges who legislate from the bench, I say this:  Stop legislating from the White House.  Of course, that goes for Democrats, as well.

The second thing that I have noticed is the absolute idolatry of our President, or Presidential candidates.  In debates, they are expected to know the name of the Prime Minister of Zambezi, or the best economic strategy for a group of citizens whom they have never met.   I half expect a news anchor to ask either candidate at the next debate what the air speed of a swallow is, and everyone will expect the candidate to reply, “Well… Is it a laden, or un-laden swallow?”  Come on… What Senator knows where Zambezi is, or for that matter who cares?  I then get to hear the two candidates talk about their extensive knowledge of not only political affairs, but also on the economy, the housing market, religion, family affairs, energy, astrophysics, and falconry, the last two an obvious exaggeration.  How pompous do you have to be to think you are the expert on every subject that burdens Americans?     

I want my President to be an honest person, who solemnly swears (or affirms) to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of his/her Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.  That’s it… I don’t want someone to determine crop growth or educational curriculum.  And I certainly don’t want any candidate to look at me, and offer me “change”.  Protect the damn Constitution, shut the hell up, and let Congress perform its duty and legislate.

Ooh… that felt good.  Do you ever get so angry that you start to shake a little, and it almost feels good?  I guess now I know how Liberals feel 24 hours a day.  Anyway, as I see it, my ancestors started off as British citizens, minding their own business, hanging out, having a grand ol’ time.  Then King George forced his will on the people of America, telling them what to sell, how to sell it, imposing taxes on goods and services (albeit far below the current tax rates of contemporary American society), and corrupting the judicial system of the American colonies, sending our citizens overseas to be condemned.  And by the blood of hundreds of thousands of my countrymen, the United States Constitution was created to ensure that we, the American people, shall never again have to endure the tyranny of an oppressive government, allowing us freedoms such as have never been enjoyed by any other civilization in history. 

According to our Constitution, we are to be governed by 535 men and women who come from among our ranks to represent us.  This year, we have 470 seats up for grabs to control the most powerful entity in the world, and all I hear is, “Is he the ONE?”  It would seem that today, 222 years after gaining our hard-fought independence, Americans want a King again.