Politicians, media offer more bluster than substance

By Roger Pitt

Roger Pitt

Campaign weary already and we have 14 months before casting a real vote for president.

That reality sums up conversation among End Stool regulars and the occasional visitor reacting to the television news.

The old saying about too much of a good thing, certainly applies to political campaigns. The current state of politics is not good.

For all the blustering, finger pointing and allegations of wrong doing by state and federal candidates from both parties, the simple fact is those in office should be impeached for dereliction of duty.

Constituents are in limbo while the two major parties are stalemated on the meaningful issues and the only time they act together is when their stranglehold in the Beltway is threatened by a candidate not weaned and schooled by the Democrat and Republican hierarchy.

The Beltway, including the national media, is puzzled and takes every opportunity to diminish candidates who are not part of the in-crowd, who have the audacity to challenge the status quo.

You can’t tune out the talking heads. Turn on any television or radio news and Hillary and Donald dominate.

Name any End Stool regular and they have similar opinions – they are fed up with too many of the same faces reciting the same rhetoric and woefully add “it will start all over after voting in November 2016.”

Sixteen people vying for the Republican column on the presidential ballot – to some End Stool regulars is 17 too many.

Donald has trampled the GOP field with his shoot from the hip views that reflect those of many along the counter south of the End Stool. His notoriety and personality is too large for media to ignore.

Two other Beltway outsiders – Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina – have actual ideas addressing many of the issues that dominate news and the future of the country. While mostly ignored by media and party moguls, both have eclipsed most of the professional politicians and Carson joins Trump with double digits in the polls.

Ambition by candidates to govern, clouds their good sense to drop out of the race, despite sliding down the polls.

Former Texas governor Rick Perry became a former presidential candidate Friday announcing he was dropping out of the race. Four years ago he topped opinion polls, but quickly lost ground in the primaries to Mitt Romney.

Wisconsin’s Scott Walker led the early Iowa polls in this race, but the latest numbers place him 10th in popularity. His popularity has waned along End Stool row as “governor in absentia.”

Hillary’s poll numbers have plummeted as Bernie Sanders has gained traction, while her negative likeable and trust barometer is on the rise.

“It’s a good, long year ahead before it’s over,” Oscar said, stopping at the End Stool. “Good is not the right word.”

Perry bowed out with (an edited message): “The country will be in good hands if (candidates) would listen to the grass roots.”

Grass roots does not mean the Beltway, where the influence peddlers whisper in the ears of the decision makers.