Why are we so obsessed with an election that is 15 months away?

[undeterred]

Its amazing how many posts revolve around the presidential election. We aren't even 3/4 through the term and its the focus of half the posts. Its too much. I know its because the campaigning and fundraising start earlier than ever but there is something really wrong with a system that is always focused on the elections.

[bbgrunt]

1. it's all they cover on the tv, so it must be all that is important.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Elections have become a money making arm of the entertainment industry.

Unfortunately (or, fortunately - depending on one's viewpoint) they have lost much of their entertainment value because most viewers know the inevitable outcome. The oligarchs always win.

[Snotcicles]

21. It's manufactured hysteria, normal daily events are slow-motion and bland

the more extreme chatter the media infuses into the process the more captivated it's audience.
To hell with content, it's the sizzle not the steak.

[tblue]

3. I know. I'm tired of it already.

Really, I'm exhausted.

[corkhead]

4. I am not sure myself considering that the best case scenario

is that things get no worse than they are now

[lunatica]

5. I so fucking agree with you!

We are in perpetual election mode which means we're in perpetual believing who is lying more believably mode.

It's time to take a time out mode.

[pwb]

6. Bacause we have cable news that is all politics all the time.

Which is why I seldom watch cable news anymore, it brings me down. I use to watch C-span but got tired of them saying my friend on the other side of the isle. I want them to say the asshole on the other side of the isle.

[Major Hogwash]

7. Look at the sticky of Bachmann and the foot long corndog!!

That's why!!

She's wants to be the leader of the free world!!

My gawd, don't you care at all!!

[bemildred]

8. Hey the TV people can't talk about themselves ALL the time. nt

[jaysunb]

9. It started the day after the last election.

wonder why :evilfrown:

[spanone]

10. m e d i a

[CleanGreenFuture]

11. Because that is what TPTB want us to talk about so that we don't talk about other stuff...

you know, important stuff.

[librechik]

12. a billion dollar industry is persuading us to think about what it wants us to think about

and they aren't philanthropists. They're in it for the money and the power. Their strategy is total immersion, ads on tv, radio, print, and literally thousands of lobbyists in Washington to expand the business and make it more and more favored among the decision makers.

Of course some of us are just political junkies with technology. That's why we spend all our free time talking among ourselves about our big interest.

[rbnyc]

13. No doubt. nt.

[treestar]

14. People are obsessed with the top

The Presidency, onto which they project all their wishes. Local boards, state elections, even congressional and senatorial elections, are all beneath them. They only judge who is on top. Meanwhile letting everyone underneath run amok. No, only hold the President's feet to the fire. Everyone in lesser office can do what they want.

[Hydra]

15. Because we have 2 major problems

One of them is in the WH, and doesn't look like he's going to be Primaried.

The other problem is the Repubs and who they are fielding. Jeb Bush might even get a shot at the WH.

In other words, in a better world we'd be cruising toward the election with the economy recovering and everything going our way...but we're staring down a deeper depression and the possibility that the crazies are coming to burn us as witches.

[Cool Logic]

16. Because we care about and are interested in the outcome of a process where one man is projected to..

spend $1 Billion to hold on to a job that pays $450,00/yr.

[undeterred]

17. We should throw out the whole system and start over.

Seriously. Somethings not working.

[Zax2me]

18. It's silly.

But that is the way it has become.
Look at the money spent.
ridiculous.

[Tesha]

19. Well, it's just ~4 months to the Iowa caucuses and the NH Primary.

So by the ridiculously-prolonged American political
calendar, it actually *IS* time to be talking Pres-
idential politics.

Tesha

[sad sally]

20. It's the American way - betting (and hoping?) that the next round of

elections will bring the good people to the seats of this form of government that we have. Oh, and it means lots and lots of cash changing hands from those who buy the politicians and those who are the politicians.

Will it ever be changed? Nope, not at this juncture of history.

[CatholicEdHead]

22. August

nothing much is going on.

[AndyTiedye]

23. Because the Prospect of Any of these Wingnut Repiglickins Getting Elected Scares The Hell Out Of Us!

:hide: