One of these is not Like the Other

Tim Bean

8/9/2012

Remember the bit on Sesame Street, “One of these is not like the other?” Do children even watch Sesame Street anymore? Well, anyway, I remember that recurring bit on that long running children’s show, and today I am going to relive my childhood with an “exciting” political version.

Contrary to popular belief, and the media’s best attempts to keep this belief alive, there are more than two people running for President. I hope I didn’t shatter anyone’s reality with that piece of information, but it is true, there will be three candidates to choose from this fast approaching November 6th (time flies when you’re having “fun”) so in the spirit of another theme of Sesame Street, “sharing,” I am going to summarize each candidates’ executive records and you tell me which of these is not like the other.

Candidate A

Okay, so what are Candidate A’s claims to fame? Let’s see, he increased the size of government under his watch. He proposes tax hikes. Promised to reign in government spending, but the budget has increased each year of his tenure. Hoisted an albatross disguised as healthcare reform on his constituency, claiming it would make healthcare cheaper and won’t cost anyone a dime more than they are spending now.

Candidate B

Very good Candidate A, but let’s see what Candidate B brings to the table. He increased the size of the government during his reign. Promised to reign in government spending, but the budget increased each year during his tenure. Hoisted an albatross disguised as healthcare reform on his constituency, claiming it would make healthcare cheaper and won’t cost anyone more money than they are spending now.

Candidate C

Wow! Anyone notice the stark contrast between Candidate’s A & B? Okay Candidate C, you have your work cut out for you; time to measure up. During Candidate C’s terms as an executive, he balanced the budget that included a surplus. He used his veto authority to trim waste from government. He trimmed jobs from government without having to fire anyone. He increased the general fund almost tenfold from where it was when he took office. He limited budget growth by 5% each year of his tenure. Cut taxes 14 times and never raised them.

Hmm, now which of these is not like the other? It’s okay if you have to think about it, I understand. Obviously I am being facetious; Candidate C is the one that truly stands out from the other two. Take away the rhetoric between our glorious leader, President Obama, and his arch nemesis/doppelganger, Mitt Romney they are exactly the same candidate. Romney talked the “conservative” talk when he ran for governor of Massachusetts, but his record belies that talk – he could talk the talk, but couldn’t walk the walk; just look at what you are going to get should you find Mitt’s “Sweet and Low” better than Obama’s “Equal.” I would argue that because there is no essential difference between Candidate A and Candidate B is why each campaign has devolved into scare tactics, misinformation, and outright lies. I would also argue that since there is no difference between Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney, which is why they have a vested interest in keeping Gov. Gary Johnson (Candidate C) out of the picture. He, (Mr. Johnson) is a threat, and people cannot be allowed to know that good government is actually quite easy. Gov. Gary Johnson is the Snapple to their cola, more than just fizz and high fructose corn syrup, he is the real deal.

Now, one can, and often does talk about what the differences in the Republicans and the Democrats, and if you are to simply listen to what they say you would think that there is a stark contrast between the two parties. Unfortunately we have over 100 years of data to suggest otherwise. Both parties leave Uncle Sam fatter and more ponderous than when they got there, and both parties are equally responsible for about half of the nearly $15,000,000,000,000 and growing in national debt. Both parties have eroded our civil liberties, inching us closer and closer to having the government’s jackboot planted squarely on our backs, pushing us towards its beneficence and mercy. Both have started wars, both real and societal (the War on Drugs and the War on Poverty) and neither has actually accomplished what their rhetoric tells us they are all about.

So, quite honestly I cannot for the life of me see how anyone who is willing to free their mind from this terminal feedback loop would continue to feed into this charade. So, yeah, there are only two choices this election year – The Obamney’s or Gov. Gary Johnson.

At the end of the day, you can either focus on what’s tearing you apart, or you can focus on what’s keeping you together. Choose. (Unknown)