Go Joe!

I hope Joe Lieberman wins his senate race this year. There, I said it. He is an example of what's right (sort of). Except for his waffling during the 2000 presidential campaign, he has shown a willingness to think for himself. It is sad that we actually give notice to a politician who does what he thinks is right instead of asking party leaders what the platform is. Such is the nature of our current, aimless political climate.

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with a lot of stuff Lieberman stands for. I probably never will. But I always respect someone, whether or not I agree with him, who can think for himself and can explain his rationale. In a day where every speech an elected official gives is written, re-written, vetted, re-written again, tested with focus groups, re-written yet again and finally delivered, we should point out and praise those who are willing to take a risk for what they believe is right even if it's a very small, baby step.

While it's fun to point our fingers at the political machine and criticize the ogre it has become, we have to accept responsibility. We had our heads turned while it grew into the current monstrosity that it is. Unless the majority of the people in this country begin to demand accountability and actual leadership from politicians, it will only get worse. I doubt most of us even know what positions our senators and congressmen hold. It would go a long way to correcting the problem if each of us took the time to find out.