things change, things stay the same

By Todd Stadler · Thursday, May 24, 2001 5:59pm

When I originally created an entry for this day, it was to celebrate Sen. Jeffords' (I-Vermont) defection from the Republican party. It seemed meaningful and exciting at the time.

But now that I am getting around to editing the entry for this day (about a month later), I find myself less than excited. All that Jeffords' move did was to create political gridlock by creating a balance of power between the White House and the Senate.

Don't get me wrong, I think that's a generally good thing. Anytime both parties have to fight it out between themselves and agree on things, anytime less gets done by our politicians, things seem to go better. It's no surprise Americans have a habit of electing different parties to the White House and Congress.

But what has Jeffords done lately? What has any political muckraker done lately? I mean, for heaven's sake, where is Ralph Nader? Is the media ignoring him even more than it used to, or was he not really committed to changing things in a big way?

Ah, well, at least we've still got McCain stirring things up. Bucking his party's more annoying trends and fighting for good things.

It's too bad he looks like a total doofus. I fear America can no longer elect a president who looks old, stodgy, or downright goofy, no matter what their political ideology.