Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.

Why does no one ever comment on the impact that campaigning for elections has on the responsibilities of those individuals involved? Kerry, including the primary season, has been campaigning non-stop for more than a year. President Bush has now been campaigning solidly, including often times hitting multiple states in a single day, for four or five months. Isn’t the job of United States Senator and President a full-time affair? In addition to changes that need to occur to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance “reform” legislation, does it make sense to enact measures that create campaigning periods?

While both candidates are forced to spend all their time campaigning, the administration is allowing the election to affect its decision-making process.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that officials have conceded privately that the election is affecting decisions related to stabilizing Iraqi cities currently being controlled by rebel forces. The Journal says the decision is “deeply unpopular among many military commanders” due to the need to stabilize these cities well before the national elections that are scheduled for January. Obviously such a move will likely result in some of the most intense battles to date, which would undoubtedly have a negative impact on the current administration’s forthcoming election.

Another domestic policy issue that wreaks of election year politics is the soon-to-expire 10 year-old-ban on most assault weapons. According to polls, more than two-thirds of the public supports the banning of assault weapons and since the legislation was enacted federal statistics demonstrate that crimes that can be traced to assault weapons have declined by two-thirds. The administration has said that it supports renewing the law but hasn’t made any efforts to push Congress to action.

Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Character: Ferris Bueller
Setting: Ferris imparting his words of wisdom and his life’s philosophy.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: Ferris is indicative of an individual who shirks his real-life responsibilities (school) to focus on his own personal gain, in this case the instant gratification that results from truancy and a trip to the city. Similarly, the candidates in a presidential election shirk their job responsibilities for the pursuit of prestige and power that results from heading the world’s foremost superpower. It’s, like, the same thing.

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