Sibley: What U.S. voters are saying is 'Off with their heads!'

I am not very concerned about the opinion of Canadians on our elections.

This article is founded on a misconception that any non-American is likely to harbor. America is a land of self-governing individuals (or, at least, that's the premise). If you want to see the relationship between those who govern and those who are governed, look in a mirror. If you expect to be governed by someone else, you may be Canadian or someone from any other nation. We're the only ones who ever tried it.

I certainly am frustrated with politicians. But my frustration with them does not stem from the gridlock in DC. We are a divided nation trying to determine our course, unable to achieve a clear consensus. Is it a surprise that our legislature mirrors that divide. The fact that they do not make bold, decisive, sweeping changes while we are in this state, is testimony to the genius of the founding fathers.

Their are two things that I cannot abide.

1) For complicated reasons, politicians our politicians no longer maintain a collegial attitude toward each other. They give every appearance of being loyal to party first and Nation second. It is not enough to disagree. Political opponents must be marginalized and destroyed. There appears no understanding or allowance that todays opponents may be tomorrow's allies. If you stick a knife in my belly today, you won't get a handshake tomorrow. I saw an interview where some legislators freely admit that most legislators do not frequently socialize outside of their party affiliation. They won't even sit together in the congressional dining room for lunch. What hope is there for a nation where political opponents cannot break bread together?

2) Politicians, particularly those running for re-election, cannot answer a simple question. Every answer is carefully crafted, to allow plausible deniability once they stand before a different crowd. Quite often the question they answer has little to do with the question asked.

I think the article is right, until the two points above improve significantly, "Off with their heads"! Perhaps we should elect by lottery, and vote on the length of prison term once their term is over.