Greed in the Political System

Presidential primary dates are always a big deal.  States always push their dates up as early as possible, while still attempting to stay within the RNC rules.  The story was the same in 2008, when states pushed up early.  This time around, some states are choosing to defy RNC rules and hold their primaries much earlier than allowed, possibly changing something that has been in place for years.

According to RNC rules, the only states allowed to hold a primary or caucus before the first Tuesday in March in an election year are Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.  Those states can hold their contests at any time on or after February first.  This year, Florida decided to move their primary up to January 31st, which means that even if they were in that group of early states, they still would have been violating both rules.  This sent the "primary world" into utter chaos, with the four states ahead of them concerned with losing their early status.  If Florida was defying the rule, they said, they would too.  As long as they kept early primaries.  Now, the dates are set for the Iowa caucus to be held on January 3rd, the Nevada primary to be held on January 14th, South Carolina primary on January 21st, and Florida on the 31st.  The New Hampshire, first-in-the-nation primary, has yet to set schedule a date.  According to their own state rules, their primary must be held at least seven days before another contest of similar standards.  In order for this to be done more quickly, and still ensuring they could keep the first-in-the-nation status, New Hampshire asked Nevada if they would consider moving their primary back three days; from January 14th to January 17th.  The first thing Nevada said was, "no way." 

This is just yet another example of the negative role greed plays in politics today.  Instead of moving back only three days, Nevada is forcing New Hampshire to consider holding early December primaries.  This would make them have virtually no relevance.  These states are becoming ridiculous with the early dates they are choosing.  The convention to choose the nominee is not until August!  Why drag the primary season out longer.  Beginning the primaries in March leaves plenty of time for all the states to hold their contests.  I believe that would be a better system to go by; rather than holding primaries months ahead of time.

Greed is in nearly every aspect of politics right now; even to the point where the leaders in Washington cannot agree to pass a bill because neither side wants to compromise.  They want something, and the other side wants something different, so neither compromises and nothing ever gets done.  This is, honestly, all because of career politicians.  Career politicians who were never meant to be.  When this country was founded, there was no such thing as a "career politician."  Regular citizens aided in the running of this country for a certain period of time, then went back to their normal lives as regular citizens.  They didn't go back with a regime of Secret Service agents, either.  At first, presidents didn't even have Secret Service to follow them around.  Although, back then the president probably did not receive daily death threats.  As much as some of them have hurt it right now, we do need politicians in Washington today, not as much "regular citizens" in the higher positions of power, like we did back then.  With the world evolving so quickly into a completely different place than it was 100 years ago, we need people with proven records of executive leadership in dealing with another party to make America as strong as it can be.  We need someone who knows how to compromise sometimes in order to get things done.  Ultimately, we need leaders who love America.  If they truly love this country, they will be less likely to get involved in politics for personal gain and more for the bettering of the "land that I love."  While a career politician would probably not be anyone's first choice, we do need people with proven records of leadership. 

With the leaders in Washington exhibiting such greed on a daily basis, it is really no surprise that some citizens are picking up on it as well.  The Occupy Wall Street crowd is a perfect example.  They are mad that their college loans aren't paid, that they don't have jobs (when many simply aren't looking), and that their are people who have more money than they do.  Instead of looking for ways to fix it on their own, they are looking for free handouts, which translated is:  Greed.

All of this to say, greed needs to get out of our political system immediately.  It is engulfing it and making it nearly impossible for us to get the things done that need to be.  Greed is a cancer that will eat away at the heart of whatever it controls; whether it be a person or an entire nation.  Politicians need to start working for "We the People" rather than themselves and stop looking solely for personal gain.  If they do not, we as a nation will continue to go downhill and my generation will not have the means necessary to thrive in the greatest nation on earth.