Democrats vs. Republican - The Biggest College Rivalry?

So it's 7:30 and I can't concentrate. I'm at work...but it's Election Day and returns are coming in! I've had quite a few conversations about politics today and have come to a few conclusions.

The Democrats and Republicans are basically acting like college football rivals.
Now, I will be the first to stand up and mock kU (note the not-capitalized k...because kansas is neither a proper noun nor a proper place). As a MIZZOU fan (GO Tigers!) I am staunchly anti-j-hawk. I hate them and think they are horrible. BUT...if there was ever a major project to put together I would have no problem putting aside that rivalry to get it done. I'm even working well on a project at work right now with a kansas grad - who I still taunt mercilessly on football weekends. Dems and Reps need to start acting the same way. They've got the rivalry jeering and fighting down pat, but they've got to work on this cooperation thing. Cause if not, the dissalusion of voters with out political system is going to continue and who knows where our country will end up. At least they need to find common ground and then work on compromises on things that they more or less agree to disagree upon.

We've also wondered if it will ever be possible for a third party candidate to ever seriously run for president? When did the election come down to how much money you can raise? Wouldn't things work out a little better (ie - we could get people not in the pocket of party politics) with shared 'war chests' for advertising, etc. I think I'd respect politicians more if some of those millions of dollars spent on campaigns could go to charity instead. I'd also just love to see party politics taken down a few pegs. I'm sick of all this fighting and would be happy to see action. I don't think I'll ever declare red or blue...I'm going to be purple - I fully support the Divided We Fail campaign.


Ads and debates should be run more strictly. No more negative ads should be allowed. Sticking to the facts should be the way to win a campaign. If candidates want to bring up a problem they have with their opponent they should act more like scientists...SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM! Site voting records and have a website with details, for example...and for heavens sake, be specific. Elections should be about the issues not who can smear who better.

Media should be held accountable for their reporting and claims as much as candidates are. I tend to find myself simply siding with the candidates that are receiving the most unnecessary flack from the media - the most pointless and probably not entirely factual attacks just tick me off. (ie - attacks on Palin for her makeover)

No matter who wins, I'd like to see it not be close. The last thing we need is a repeat of 4 or 8 years ago where the decision was drug out over a number of days. The economy probably won't handle that all too well. We need a decisive winner...which at this time, as I watch the 24hr news networks, looks like it will be Obama. He's a great speaker who could really ignite passion back into the public perception of our government. I just hope he handles the war well...

One last thing - I LOVE that the voting turnout has been so huge. I applaud everyone who went unfazed to stand in line, whether it be for minutes or hours. It's nice to see people getting excited about our government and also to see my younger generation turnout as well as we were expected to.