I don’t think I’m alone this year in being frustrated with and confused by the candidate selection put forth by both parties.

We are all so very divided, and it seems that’s going to get worse before it gets better — if it gets better.

For the record, since casting my first ballot at age 18 in 1980, I’ve voted for Republicans and Democrats. I’m socially liberal, but a fiscal conservative, which makes it tough most times to choose a candidate.

Despite low approval ratings during much of his presidency, it’s interesting that, when lumped in with the current field of Democrats and Republicans, many people said they would prefer President Obama to have a third term. I know I would. However, he’s not interested in the least, even if the constitution allowed for it, and who could blame him? The disrespect shown this man who was duly elected president of this country is something that’s made me ashamed. He’s been the bigger man in the face of it all. We could do much worse — and probably will — than four more years of Barack Obama.

Republicans, goodness, where does one start? After the last seven years in which its obvious strategy was to strangle any act of legislation proposed by the president or Democrats, Republicans are trying to fight their do-nothing image. That strategy, which was meant to buoy the Republican Party at the expense of the people of the United States, is likely to cost them the Senate in the next election.

The party is in upheaval which some think will end with it splitting into two parties. Time will tell, I guess. Party moderates, like Jeb Bush and John Kasich, look stunned at what’s happening to their party.

I mean, seriously, who ever would have expected Donald Trump to last this long as a presidential candidate? It seems more and more every day he’ll be the Republican nominee.

Add to it the fact that Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of the Rev. Jerry Falwell who founded Liberty University, endorsed Trump recently. This evangelical Christian endorsed Donald Trump. How bizarre. But, as Falwell Jr. explained on CNN recently, it’s not really bizarre. And no, his father would not be turning over in his grave if he knew, as many have suggested. Why? Because his father endorsed candidate Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.

And then we have Hillary and Bernie. Again, where does one start?

Bernie talks a good game. Who would imagine someone who terms himself a Democratic Socialist would think he could be elected president. Can he? Perhaps. Bernie has quite the rabid following.

If elected, could he ever get Congress to go along with his ideas? Certainly that’s doubtful.

And Hillary Clinton has more dirty laundry than any hamper could carry. Those rabid Bernie Sanders followers claim if Hillary wins the nomination, they will simply not go to the polls. That move would surely mean a Republican is elected president.

Who does that “take my marbles and go home” thinking benefit then?

It’s been a wild ride so far, and I have a feeling we haven’t seen anything yet. Buckle up!

 

Jan Griffey is editor of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com.