Jay Kersting's Blog

I would have thought that being in a state capitol, I would be jumping in to a hornet's nest of political activity and possibly even corruption.  Now, I arrived here on December 26, 2006, and so far everything seems mostly above board.  Sure. there is lots of political bickering and grandstanding....even finger pointing.  So far though, I haven't seen anything resembling corruption.

But that does not mean that I don't know what political corruption is.  If you not familiar already, let me just point you in the direction of Knox County, Tennessee. 

To quote Freddy from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"..."All I can say is WOW!!  Wow Ow WOW!!!  WOW!!!!"

I knew a lot of the players that are mentioned in some of the stories.  Now, I would not say that I was friends with, but friendly with many of them.  If the allegations are true, this is really sad.  If the allegations aren't true, the way things have been handled by those doing the investigations are more than sad.  And I knew some of those folks too. 

The other day a friend asked me when I was going to run for office.  I told him the quick answer of "NEVER!!"  I like watching politics the same way I like watching baseball.  Sit back, enjoy the show, tell folks what is happening, offer commentary....just don't ask me to swing a bat or turn a double play. 

Some have called politics show business for ugly people.  That may be true, but I prefer to call it sports for those with strong verbal dexterity.  OK, so that doesn't sound as good.

The thing about politics these days more than anytime since probably Watergate, is how polarized things have become.  I have said this many times before and I will keep on saying it, too many people place inaccurate political labels on themselves.  More than anything, I hate hearing someone say that they are a Republican or Democrat because their parents were Republicans or Democrats.  I've always felt that it is OK for your family to influence your faith, or lack there of.  But let your ability to process information, your intellect, direct your political views.  Often times, the way you are raised will do that.  But don't let that be the ONLY or even PRIMARY factor.

I'm sure the folks who got involved in these scandals got their political bearings from a variety of sources.  The system is what got them in trouble.  I don't want to get in to that type of system.  Besides, as a confirmed independent, I would never get any group behind me for support.

Support.  That is the term used these days to mean MONEY.  Want to know how these folks in Knox County got in trouble.  It had to do with MONEY.

Remember, it is often said that Money is the Root of All Evil.  This is not true.  Money, in and of itself, is nothing.  A symbol.  That's it.  The longer statement is...The LOVE of Money, Above All Else, Is the Root of All Evil.

But again, while that second statement may be true, it just doesn't sound as good.  Which is why it isn't used.

Remember that as we enter the start of Year Two of the 2008 Presidential Election.  At least baseball only has 162 games, two rounds of playoffs and a World Series.  Spring Training starts in late February or early March and the whole thing it wraps up by November.  Anyone NOT understand why I like baseball better?