A simple, stuttering, sheppard might do.

 In chapter 18 of the book of Exodus, we are told that Jethro, priest of Midian and Moses’s father-in-law, arrived at the mountain of God where the nation of Israel had camped. Upon seeing his son-in-law judge the people from morning to night Jethro sought counsel with the onetime son of Egypt and advised him that he select able bodied men to help him rule over his people lest he and his people waste away. The world has turned a few times in the centuries since those desert people camped at Sinai, and we in the United States wrestle with our unique form of representative government. As with the regularity of the seasons in our nation, the populations blessed franchise is foretold by sprouting roadside campaign signs and negative television advertisements financed by various political action committees which now have no contribution limits that spin each others opponent as an evildoer hell bent on destroying our standard of living, cities and nation. Each party will attempt to identify their causes attempt to win your vote by finding the latest  “Joe the Plummer”  to prove that anyone can achieve the American dream, or a senior in a wheelchair who will plunge headlong into a wretched Dickensian lifestyle as a result of draconian budget cuts initiated by the idle rich. Recent history in our national arena has shown our elected representatives to be at their best to be mired in gridlock and divisive behavior when working “across the aisle” and often within the dealing of their own party. It is with results such as this in mind that we as a constituency need to focus on what enables these governmental bodies to narrow their focus and legislate solely to their base. Systemic apathy, low voter turnout and disinterest in holding these individuals accountable to not only their party, but each community as well has allowed our politicians to pander to limited segments of our population centers and allow people believe that they can vote themselves rich. Each party will wrap themselves up in a particular view of the American vision and hearken to names such as Regan, Kennedy, and Truman in an almost Orwellian fashion to evoke feelings of patriotism. It is with this in mind that we need to go about our work and come to terms with the fact that we are facing a crucial time and even more dire circumstances with this upcoming election. It is of utmost importance that we comprehend the idea that for the foreseeable future, everything is on the table. Higher taxes and fewer entitlements will be the manner in which this country will reduce its debt and grow our economy. Instead of yearning for heroes of our recent past and perhaps heed some solid Old Testament advice of Jethro and search for moral able bodied individuals to assist with the business of the nation and come to the conclusion that instead of man made idols to operate our government, for now perhaps a simple, stuttering, Sheppard might do.