To+the+Politicians+&+the+Voters

Corruption is everywhere in the politics of our country. I’ve noticed that from all the Daily Spark discussions we have with Mrs. Hummer. And where there’s an issue, there’s a person who writes something about it, so I figured that the person could be me. These letters, which address large groups of people, explain my opinion of a functional, honest government.

To the Politicians: Just imagine for a minute. Imagine you aren’t as prominent and powerful as you are. Imagine I’m not just a kid. Imagine we’re people. If I ask you a question, you won’t avoid it, you’ll answer truthfully. And tell me this: why do you run for these positions in our country’s government? Do you do it for power and fame and fortune? Or do you sincerely want to serve your country, and make it a better place? I wish everyone could honestly reply with the latter, but I’m not so sure that’s the case. That would mean we have to start back at square one. Understand one thing. This isn’t about you. A leader who leads for his own personal benefit isn’t a leader at all. Real leaders lead for the benefit of his country. You still think you’ve got what it takes? Let’s continue. Campaigning is the first major step in being granted a position in government. Keep in mind that this isn’t about you. Speak your mind to the people. Tell them what you have to offer your country. Don’t make empty promises to earn yourself a few extra votes. Don’t be someone you aren’t. Don’t beg for campaigning funds. Don’t plaster your name all over everything. Don’t be afraid to lose. Just speak to everyone you can. Get your completely true and meaningful message out there. If you seem genuine, people will remember you. If that works out, and you get the job, be humble. Don’t forget where you came from. Run your office like you would your house. And as the leader of the county, you’re now a single parent in a house of 300 million children. Think about how regular parents run a successful household. They don’t buy things they can’t pay for. They look for ways to save money. They put their kids before themselves. They keep tabs on what the children are doing. When kids are bad, they punish them. When kids are good, they reward them. They aren’t afraid to say no when the kids ask for outrageous things. They are willing to compromise when the kids want reasonable things. They are forgiving, even if the kids upset them. They are helpful, no matter what needs to get done. They love all their children equally and unconditionally. Everyone knows their place and their responsibilities. While keeping those ideas in mind, be the leader that our country needs. Don’t forget that other branches of government and giant corporations are your children, too. Accept the fact that not everyone will like you and your way of doing things. Let them throw all the temper tantrums they want. Be firm, but keep an open mind. Some whiny complainer might have a good point. Finally, understand that I don’t speak from experience. When we do slip out of our fantasy, I’ll still be just a kid. My advice simply comes from a fresh mind thinking logically. I wouldn’t know for certain exactly what the best way to run a country is. I probably won’t ever know. That’s why you’re the politician, and I’m the kid. Try on my thinking, and maybe by the time it matters to me, you’ll have it figured out. A.B. Cee

To the Voters: Just imagine for a minute. Imagine you aren’t as important and all-knowing as you think you are. Imagine I’m not just a kid. Imagine we’re people. If I ask you a question, you won’t avoid it, you’ll answer truthfully. And tell me this: who do you vote for in these elections for positions in our country’s government? Do you pick the candidate who has expensive posters every two feet and approves some message every commercial break? Is it an eeny-meeny-miney-moe kind of deal? Or do you sincerely choose who you know will serve your country, and make it a better place? I wish everyone could honestly reply with the latter, but I’m not so sure that’s the case. That would mean we have to start back at square one. Understand one thing. This isn’t about you. A citizen who functions solely for his own personal benefit isn’t a citizen at all. Real citizens live for the benefit of his country. Real citizens are also wise voters. You think you’ve got what it takes? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Let’s continue. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Campaigning is the first major step in electing a government official. Keep in mind that this isn’t about you. Listen to what the candidates have to offer your country. See through the empty promises. Recognize the ones who are faking it. Ignore the candidates who spend too much money campaigning. A name plastered all over everything is not necessarily a good one. Really pay attention to what each candidate has to say. Look for the true and meaningful messages. Remember the one who seems genuine. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Remain calm, no matter who gets the job. Don’t throw a hissy fit if it isn’t your favorite. Accept them and the fact that they’re your leader now. Give them all the support they need, considering the daunting task they have before them. Think of a single parent in a house of 300 million children. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Don’t get discouraged when you realize that you’re the kid in my metaphor. Take a deep breath and recall what life is like for a child. The parents would do anything for their children. The kids are watched over and protected by their parents. They are punished when they’re bad. They are rewarded when they’re good. They aren’t given anything they want, but are given reasonable treats when they deserve them. They are loving, even if the parents make them mad. They are supportive, or at least try to be, even if they don’t completely agree with a parent’s decision. They need their parents and stand by them no matter what. Everyone knows their place and their responsibilities. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">While keeping those ideas in mind, be the citizen that our country needs. Accept the fact that not every leader will do exactly what you want 100% of the time. Temper tantrums and complaining won’t help. Make heard your own thoughts and ideas, but keep an open mind. You can’t really judge your leader so until you really know them and their abilities. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Finally, understand that I don’t speak from experience. When we do slip out of our fantasy, I’ll still be just a kid. My advice simply comes from a fresh mind thinking logically. I wouldn’t know for certain exactly how to choose the leader of country. I’ll figure it out eventually. But that’s why you’re the voter, and I’m the kid. Try on my thinking, and maybe by the time it matters to me, you’ll have it figured out. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A.B. Cee