Insanity rules at 2010 mid-term election

A few thoughts from last week’s election:
— Maybe someone smarter than me (I know, where does the line start) can explain why it matters if the County Recorder is a Republican or a Democrat. Or the Sheriff. Or treasurer. Or auditor.
I’ve never figured out why county elected officials have to declare a party affiliation. It seems pointless. Those elected to city offices don’t, but if they did, I’d bet they too would all choose to be Republicans, regardless of their true political leanings.
Why? Because there is nothing more lonely than the Democratic party in Mont-gomery County. I’m not even sure it can be called a party. It’s more like a gathering.
Regardless, any candidate who wants to run against an incumbent Republican would rather do it on the independent or no party ticket, as evident by the last election.
A large part of the problem can be linked to straight-ticket voting, which may be the worst possible idea in the history of Democracy. And I mean ever.
Was someone sitting around one day and decided “hey … this filling out multiple circles is exhausting. Let’s make it  simple, requiring as little effort and comprehension as possible, and let them vote for 53 candidates all at once!”
Wouldn’t it be nice if candidates were elected not because of their party, but because of their qualifications and abilities? What a concept.
Taking that a step farther, while I’m in my world of delirium, can you imagine an election without political parties?
Just a list of names without the little letters behind them to tell voters who to pick. Chaos would ensue, I’m sure.
— If I sound disenfranchised and bitter following Tuesday’s election, it’s probably because I am, and really, it has nothing to do with the GOP earning its largest majority in the House since 1940 something.
I really don’t care, because I really don’t think it will matter. I have the seemingly unique ability to remember when George Bush and his merry men led the country into a pointless war while driving the economy into the toilet.
It stunk then, and the Democrats haven’t done a thing to fix the economy, so I have no faith in either party to do anything constructive.
My prediction is in two years, each party will blame the other for blocking legislation that would have saved the world.
What bothers me is watching how easily the American public has been manipulated, and how easily hatred has been used as that manipulating tool. I have never seen an angrier voting populace. And why are they angry? Because oh my gosh, a president actually had the gall, and compassion, to promote and institute health care for all.
Based on the demonizing in political advertising, and the ensuing public anger, you would think he suggested replacing The Star Spangled Banner with a P Diddy rap single for the national anthem.
But nothing is more discouraging to me than the vote to repeal Iowa’s Supreme Court justices. First, there is the problem with voting someone out of office, but not getting to choose who goes in. How do you know the replacement will be any better? Quite frankly, you don’t.
But beyond that, I’m willing to bet 95 percent of voters cast their ballots simply based on their knowledge of one issue: those justices ruling in favor of homosexual marriage.
First, I’m not sure the general populace needs to be voting on positions such as Supreme Court justices, when they don’t get to choose who takes over. That makes no sense. What bothers me more though is several other judges up for retention were also voted down in Montgomery County, although approved statewide.
What that tells me is not only did Montgomery County residents vote against the three Supreme Court justices because of one thing they knew about them, but they voted against other judges because of that one thing they knew about those Supreme Court justices.
Is this how we want to choose the most important person in the judicial system?
That seems to make as much sense as having to your County Treasurer declare a political party.
Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express, and can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.