I am a political junkie. I love to turn on the TV or listen to the radio and hear about any politicians missteps. Yes, I do take a bit more delight when a Republican screws something up, or get caught screw— Nevermind! I get a little euphoric feeling especially when it comes to Republican sex scandals, since this is one of the areas I find them to be the most hypocritical. But then who doesn’t enjoy a titillating sex scandal (even when it has nothing to do with politics. Religious figures or entertainers work as well). Yes, I do feel a little guilty enjoying my sense of schadenfreude when the powerful fall.

Politics amuses me. My joke is I am a Libertarian with Democratic leanings, which some say makes me a Republican. Sadly it’s pretty true. I like to think I don’t care what party a good idea comes from, but the reality is I just like logical and persuasive arguments. Too often I find myself agreeing with the person speaking. It’s easy for me to take their point of view if it’s well presented (or to assume the opposite side of a weak argument). It’s just like football to me. I like whatever team has the ball. This is actually how I see all team sports, and what is politics after all if not a team sport that everyone is invited to participate in.

I am in my late 30s, and have always said I don’t care who your vote for or support as long as you vote and have a reason for thinking the way you do. The right and left are so close together anymore that if you knock out the nutjob-fringe-element all you have left is the middle. Call me cynical, but I don’t really care too much who gets in. I just want my demographic to be strongly represented. If there’s going to be pandering going on, I want it aimed my way. This is why if you are a member of a non-voting bloc and you don’t have things your way, you don’t get to complain.

This is one decent aspect about getting older. I think my demographic does better at voting than it did when I was 18, and for sure we do better than the current crop of youths. By the time I am ready to retire social security may be bankrupt, but by then the laws will be giving everything to the elderly and putting kids further out into the cold. And you know what, if they’re non-voters, then by god, I’m fine with that.

Generally, I don’t like writing about politics, either generally or specifically, since I don’t think I’m ever likely to change someone’s mind, and my beliefs have been pretty consistent over the years as well. That why you will seldom see me writing about it here. And I will for sure never have a politics category. I just don’t see the point.