There was a time when the political world was far more temperate.
Today, however, politics is often an ugly milieu in which raucous rhetoric drowns out reason and respect.
But, thankfully, many stalwart and public service-minded individuals still throw their hats into the proverbial ring and present their ideas on how best to solve the country's problems. In the long run-up to the 2020 elections, it will be interesting to see who stays the course and emerges to ask for our vote for president and other state and federal offices.
To date, 24 Democratic presidential candidates have taken to the stump in the presidential race and so far, Republican William Weld, former Massachusetts governor, is the only member of the GOP to announce his intentions to challenge President Donald J. Trump.
As the familiar saying goes, "The more the merrier." And who knows how many other individuals might be tempted to join the fray and offer their credentials in contrast to those already on the road to the primaries?
I am not a die-hard political animal, but I do vote on a regular basis and consider it not only a privilege to do so but my responsibility as well. When some people tell me they are opting out of this or that election, I remind them of how important it is to have one's say at the polls. It is not about winning or losing so much as supporting our individual convictions and honoring the legacy of those who fought and died so we might be free to support leaders of our own choosing.
And then I had a crazy thought -- a question really -- and it came to me in the middle of another sleepless night. Just what candidates would I put on my dream ticket for president? Hmmm. It did not take long to come up with one name. Maybe I have been paying more attention to all the political wrangling than I thought.
And then another person came to mind. I was on a roll.
I won't divulge the identities of these individuals, but will say they have experience in government, they are generally moderate in their views, they are well-spoken, they know the U.S. Constitution, they are knowledgeable on a range of subjects and they are cordial and respectful of others.
From what I know, this man and this woman are staunch in their beliefs and know what it is like to be publicly criticized for their stands on various issues.
One has been an officeholder, the other has not.
Oh, yes, before I forget, a third candidate for this ideal slate came to mind during the reverie. She is an elected official with strongly held views, also knowledgeable, articulate, and comfortable on the public stage.
Of course, this ticket likely will never come to be in a country where political partisanship is so fierce. The man in this imagined scenario is Republican and the women are Democrats.
Oh, but one can dream, can't she?
Editorial on 06/09/2019