Here we are, less than two weeks into the new year and my brain is already saturated by presidential campaign news. I use the word hesitantly since most of what we hear is conjecture, trivia and predictions by the pundits who enjoy the feeding frenzy that an election provides.
Imagine being a citizen of Iowa, generally a quiet, peaceful state. Your daily routine consists of a relaxing breakfast at the local diner before going to work. Suddenly you're surrounded by media sticking microphones in your face while you're trying to pour the maple syrup. Who will you vote for? What do you think about...? Do you believe candidate so and so can win? If it's not the media, it's the candidates themselves vying for attention. By now your pancakes are cold.
Thankfully these people are now in New Hampshire interrupting someone else's breakfast.
Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what state is hosting. The mud slinging, name calling and finger pointing don't change. The holier than thou attitudes and pontificating continue. These guys ought to empty their pockets of stones, since they all live in glass mansions.
One candidate wins and becomes the media darling. Next week, he loses and becomes an also-ran, overtaken by the latest flavor of the month.
This entire process is far too drawn out and way too expensive. I propose we change the system and adopt the "American Idol" model. Each week there's a topic -- foreign affairs, the economy, the environment. Each week candidates give a brief presentation on said topic. Each week viewers vote for their favorite. Contestants are ranked weekly and the final vote determines who will face off in the general election.
Think about it. Six weeks of interactive TV or six months slogging through primaries. Show of hands?
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