While I don’t want to turn this blog into a political sound board, a couple of posts I have read at other sites have this on my mind and I need to get it out. First is Andrea’s at Fools and Sages where she is talking about the next president but quotes a book that shows how we keep electing leaders we don’t like. The second is Kevin at 20s Money and he is giving his thoughts about the stimulus package being discussed by congress.

Both of these, in some way speak to how are leaders have failed us and we or we allowed it to happen. Obama is correct, we need change. However what we need is an overhaul of our political system. I have seen some headlines and crawls on news channels that ask, “Has Capitalism failed?” My answer is no. Our two party political system has failed us.

We have two parties that are more concerned with getting enough votes to stay in office than coming up with sound policies that will secure our nation for the future. Why are they mortgaging the future of our country to provide a few hundred dollars to ’stimulate’ the economy. Kevin, whom I linked to earlier, suggests investing that in gaining energy independence. Sounds like a great idea to me! At the very least, update our infrastructure so that electricity can be easily moved throughout the country. Provide some of that money for alternative fuel research.

However, both sides like to talk a good game. Why are we in the state we are in now? Ultimately, it is my fault and yours. We have given in to a two party idea. Why? If neither party is doing what is good for our country, and polls show that Americans don’t think they are as I think congress’ approval rating it at 11%, then why stick with them? We need to get out of this idea that these are our only two choices. We need to stop sitting on the sidelines. Vote third party. Or at least start writing your representatives in office.

Change is needed, but I don’t think it is the change Obama or McCain really wants.

-Kevin