It’s going to be a long four months until Nov. 8.
I’m already tired of the presidential campaign even though, officially, it’s barely begun.
And that’s very unusual for me.
I’m one of those government teacher-types that thoroughly enjoy watching, reading and talking about politics.
Except this year.
Sure, the 2016 presidential campaign has been “interesting” so far.
But interesting doesn’t always mean enjoyable.
Passing a horrible car accident on the interstate is interesting. One can’t help but to slow down and look.
But no one would say driving by such an accident is enjoyable.
That’s what comes to mind for me when I watch, read or talk about this campaign season.
It’s like a bad accident you see on the interstate.
I wonder what happened and what caused it. And I worry about possible outcomes.
Polls seem to show that I am not alone in feeling this way.
Maybe you’ve heard the recent joke: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are alone on a small boat and the boat sinks. Who survives?
America.
America survives.
While the joke may be funny, the underlying message is not.
Many Americans seem to be asking how, in a population of over 320 million people, we ended up with these two as our only options for leader of the free world.
The answer, of course, is that we have only ourselves to blame.
We increasingly get our information and “facts” from cable TV networks or social media pages that fit our chosen ideological views.
If most of what we know and think about the world comes from Fox News or liberal Facebook groups, should we be surprised we end up with extremes for candidates?
Our culture has been celebrity-obsessed for generations.
Should it shock us that a reality TV star finally used his fame to help gain a nomination for president?
Controversial or extreme comments from candidates get more TV airtime and more clicks on websites.
Doesn’t it make sense that some candidates are going to say extreme or shocking things for the attention?
In the end, maybe we get what we deserve.
A terrible accident on the interstate that we can’t help but watch.
An accident filled with insults, name-calling, half-truths and promises that can never be fulfilled.
And hopefully people will still vote, even if some do so while holding their nose.
My guess is many votes will be cast more in protest of the other candidate than in support of the candidate actually voted for.
No matter what happens, it’s only four years until the next election and only months until we start hearing about who’s running in 2020.
And no matter who wins, regardless of what TV news or the Internet tells you, America will survive.