Mud, Mud, Inglorious Mud.....

Seven weeks to go in the Presidential campaign which resembles what some call "reality tv" far more than a campaign about differences in philosophy, values, goals, and that "vision" thing.

The first election I voted in was the Kennedy/Nixon battle in 1960. I read position papers, watched debates, talked extensively with my college mates, and voted for Kennedy. My mother was sympathetic - she'd voted for the socialist Norman Thomas in her first election in 1932; but I had an uncle who avoided me for a decade because of my vote.

In those days, we disagreed about matters of substance, not style. Oh, there was some concern about the flop sweat on Nixon's face during the first debate, but the black and white picture was so lousy, I expect a number of people never took note of it.

Jump forward to the present: Our discussion is about lipstick, bulldogs, pigs, and not much more profound than that. It's just a lot of mud-slinging, and it besmirches us all.

It appears we have become what we feared most - a people believing that life should be like a television program and note like the complicated, often subtle, screwed up mess it is most of the time around this globe of ours. Gray and grayer, not black and white.

Thrust, counter-thrust, throw the facts overboard, say anything to get the "edge,"win at all costs of truth, honesty, and what used to be the American way.

Thanks to the current administration, our constitution has been weakened, our faith in ourselves impaired, our trust diminished, our legislators incapable of working for the public good and finding ways to work together.

I've written this before, and damn, it fits again. Walt Kelly's Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

Still true and oh, so sad. Seven weeks to pay attention, to read, to learn, and to discuss before casting the most important ballot of our lives.

This is a serious business, and we need to stop thinking and acting like twelve year olds and grow up - and that includes several of the candidates.

Or else....