being patriotic

  I didn't listen to the vice presidential debate. I really don't pay a lot of attention to that stuff, staged responses. I have heard that JD Vance has been declared the winner in opinion polls. I've heard that from some of my democratic friends as well. Listening to the news reporters and political pundits it struck me how they all agreed whatever happened in the debate really didn't matter. Their point was unless one candidate really did something stupid it just doesn't matter. Polls show that the vice president on the  ticket has little to no effect on the vote for president. 

  The president and the vice-president were not always from the same political party in the past. Perhaps the most glaring example was Lincoln and Johnson. Johnson assumed the presidency following Lincoln's assassination. He immediately began repealing policies. Eventually he was impeached but acquitted by the senate. There is nothing in the constitution that would prevent this from happening again but the 12th amendment made that possibility far more difficult. In modern times we think of the president and vice-president as a team. That wasn't the original plan. No, the framers of the constitution felt like we should simply vote for the best person for the job regardless of their political affiliation. Perhaps that is a bit idealistic. If history is a guide, that has been proven.

  We all tend to believe that whoever we elect for president will remain in that office, finish their term and that will be that. We tend not to think that the vice-president may have to take over. For that reason we all should really be considering that candidate closely. Instead we are allowing the candidate, really the party leaders, to choose that person. We aren't given a choice about the VP, not really. Given the age of our current candidates that should really be given a lot of thought. Will the vice president simply continue on the same path when the boss isn't around? That individual may have designs for their own legacy. 

 Understanding the 12th amendment is a study all in itself. I make no pretense to having a complete grasp on that. That it hinges upon the electoral college I get that. Electing a president by a single popular vote is simply an untenable situation for a variety of reasons. The most obvious being those states with the fewest population would never really be represented. A majority could easily be reached by the votes in such places as NYC, Chicago or LA. Bumstock North Dakota just wouldn't have much of a say about anything. The senate will decide any ties, something that hasn't happened since 1824. That was a bit of a mess. 

  How is a vice president chosen? That was discussed heavily by those founding fathers, the authors of the constitution. The objective was to select the best qualified person for the number two spot. As it turned out that wasn't always happening. Surprise, the presidential candidate and the party began choosing the individual that was most likely to help number one win. That person may or may not be qualified for the position but simply rich, powerful and influential. That person may simply be receiving that nomination as a gift, a thank you. Yes, politics is a nasty business. 

  That is where being a true patriot enters the picture. Those founding fathers certainly thought of themselves as patriots. You might say, self-righteous, depending upon your view of history. We have all been told it is our patriotic duty to vote. And indeed it is. The thing is this however, the true patriot will vote for the most qualified candidate regardless of party, race, creed, color, religious affiliation or anything else. A completely unbiased vote. That is patriotic. It isn't a blind allegiance. It is a moral obligation. Who is best qualified to lead? Who is best qualified to replace that leader should it become necessary? You know all of that starts with your vote. From your local mayor to the white house, it is your responsibility, your moral obligation to be a patriot.