At long last, here I am once again. Mea culpa for staying away so long. It’s 2006! Happy 2006, everyone! I know this is such a cliché but each time I say it to someone, a little spark ignites within me. Maybe it’s the concept of trying to pass on a tidbit of goodness in this world. We all could use more of it, especially our politicians.

Speaking of pols, mama gave me a book for Christmas (it’s a family tradition, by the way)…but let me tell you a little something first. My mother and I are very close, but when it comes to politics…*imitating sounds of earthquake & a great big chasm forming* she’s on one end, and I the other. Naturally, mama is so far right on the continuum that you’d think you ran out of space on the right-end! Yours truly, however is a bit aloof; my politics follow on a issue-by-issue basis. Now, for the story.

I was shocked when I saw what my book was–Tell It Like It IS. This book talks about many votes that famous politicians espouse, since they represent their constituents. Makes sense, right? You’d think they would also apply the same precepts to their own individual families. *beep* wrong. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. These same pols who may vote pro-choice (for instance) are acutally pro-life. God forbid that they go against their spiritual ideals and defy karma with their own family! But it’s just fine to vote en masse, to keep their constituents happy, and consequently, keeping the pols in their lavish offices.

OR, take Halliburton. Guess who is on the stockholder list? One Michael Moore. Yes, the same Michael Moore that rushed to the Bush-bashing front and pulled apart the stage-curtains for the world to see. He accuses the President of having ulterior motives, blah blah blah…as well as Cheney’s ties to Halliburton…the ethics involved within… YET, our Mr. Moore holds stock in the very same company & ideals he eschews. I guess that’s the great thing about being an American. You can lead causes and still make money in the back pocket without anyone looking…or knowing (at least for some time).

There are many more examples that span history within that book…if you haven’t heard of it, google it and pick it up. I haven’t read it in entirety yet, but thought it’d be a great resource, especially for those of us who make D.C. our home.

Politicians…can they really be counted on to represent the ideals, values and beliefs of their constituents? Can they trusted? It’s hard to sift through the concept of “practice what you preach” when I see rampant moral and ethical conflicts within the ranks of those that we “choose” to govern our country.

Funny thing is…I love the fact that I’m an American citizen. Democracy at its best :)

*shutting door*