The Current Dirty Taste Of Politics

Growing up I was always fascinated by politics.

I’m not exactly sure what planted the political bug inside of me. Perhaps it was the fact that Jimmy Carter became president when I was a young age. While I don’t necessarily remember it, I’m sure the Macon and Atlanta television stations carried countless hours of coverage of Carter’s campaign for the White House and his ultimate victory in 1976 simply because he was from our state.

I later remember watching the national conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties in the 1980s and being drawn in by the enthusiastic delegates, the signs, the balloons, the speakers and the eventual presidential nominees.

I still remember voting for the first time in the summer of 1990. It was a statewide primary year with races for governor and other offices up and down the ballot. In what would become a tradition for me, all of the candidates I voted for lost.

In 1984 (despite not being old enough to vote) I recall hoping a long-time family friend would be elected sheriff of Jasper County. Even back then I’m afraid I cursed him as his bid for sheriff fell short.

Through the many elections I have voted in I would like to think I have voted for someone who has won although I can’t think of a name at the moment. It would almost certainly be at the local level as my habit of voting third party in presidential elections all but eliminates my candidate of choice.

The recent presidential campaign of Donald Trump was a fascinating thing to watch. We all knew the Democrats would try to derail him but what was baffling to see unfold was how the Republicans were so bound and determined to stop him.

Even the right-leaning news network had many who were anti-Trump. Ironically, one of the most anti-Trump voices at that network is now employed elsewhere.

In Atlanta there is a somewhat popular right-wing talk show host who was, and is, as anti-Trump as anyone. The talk show host tried to make a name for himself nationally by standing up to Trump. In the end the talk show host had to eat crow as Trump not only won the GOP nomination but then earned one of the biggest political upsets in our country’s history by winning the White House.

Today, that radio talk show host has to praise Trump to some degree even though I image he would rather swallow a gallon of vinegar a day.

Now on a daily basis there are many who try to derail Trump to the point that even this long-time fan of politics really can’t stomach it any longer. To some, Trump can do nothing right.

I haven’t watched “news” coverage in weeks, months even, because it’s become all too predictable. To be honest, Trump has not done that terrible of a job and certainly has not been the disaster that some try to convince us that he has been.

Our state once again has a full slate of elections in 2018 and candidates are already on the campaign trail. However, the usual interest has yet to reach me. Politics, and even political campaigning, conjures up a very bad taste in my mouth right now.

Our country is as divided as it has ever been since the Civil War. Even on special holidays like July 4 we have some we can’t respect the person who is in the White House.

You wonder how one ever became a fan of politics in the first place.

Monticello native Chris Bridges is a long-time newspaper columnist. He welcomes feedback from readers of The Monticello News at pchrisbridges@gmail.com.