Political Bubblings

You may have noticed that I'm not really big on writing about political and economic events - that stuff that commonly passes for news. Mostly I am aware of it, but it seems that a lot of it I simply have little or no influence over. So when things happen like Karl Rove announcing his retirement, or the stock market goes haywire, I hear them, note them with a certain dispassionate interest, and move on my way.

But this Karl Rove thing keep popping into my mind. I'm not sure why.

I have never really liked George W Bush. I voted for him once, but with misgivings at the time. I felt then that he was the better option (and he probably was) but I had a vague fear that he simply lacked something the office requires. I am not a Bush basher. I am a registered Independent, but have traditionally voted along Republican lines. For the past several years, I find that both sides of the aisle have their collective heads quite firmly implanted up their collective bungholes. I have been rankled by the so called Religious Right's unswerving, flimsily structured support for Bush -- as if investing him with a prophetic office he cannot wear. Even worse, they are in such danger of expecting the government to usher in God's kingdom -- and then being shocked and disappointed when government can't actually deliver. These are my people! That they can be guilty of such folly blows my mind. at the same time, because they are my people, I know where they are coming from.

I have been even more deeply rankled by what appears to be the Republican's inability to really understand what the Evangelical Block really wants, but is more than willing to use them as a political stepping stone cum cudgel. I'm afraid the Rove really is the "architect" of the Bush presidency, and it's effects upon the Republican Party. If so, I think his retirement may have enormous implications, even at this late date. Of course, there's still Cheney...

So I don't really pay much concious attention to politics, but I find that it does bubble around in the back of my brain quite a lot. The problem is I'm always afraid that, although I have opinions, I really pretty ignorant about the whole things, and would do better to just shut up.

Of course, ignorance has never really stopped me from spouting opinions about other things.