The presidential election and bluejeans

It's impossible to conduct our daily lives without some discussion on the political climate during this election year. And if you think we're experiencing political overkill now, just wait until this fall.

As you would expect, with this avalanche of political coverage, there is both substance and silliness. I watched in amazement earlier this week when one respected left-wing commentator (that term may be an oxymoron) took time to comment on the bluejeans worn by one Republican hopeful.

If you cast your vote based on fashion, then skip this column and go straight to the comic section of today's newspaper!

Like many of you, I pay more attention to the economic plans coming from the candidates. Social issues and foreign policy issues are critical as well. But we're facing an economic picture that must be solved long before we tackle a long list of other pressing issues.

But let me pose some rhetorical questions that might get to the political value core of these candidates. If each candidate on either side of the spectrum were to honestly answer these questions, we'd have a much more accurate view of where this country is headed.

So here are some "food for thought" questions in no particular order.

* When does a federally-financed safety net become a federally-subsidized lifestyle?

* When will we accept that being created equal doesn't always translate into equal achievement in life?

* When will we define shared sacrifice as an honest sharing and not redistribution?

* When do we expect those who are fed, housed and fully supported by tax dollars to do something -- anything -- to repay that taxpayer compassion?

* When we will honor job creators as the true American heroes?

* When can we honestly say that wayward children are the problem of wayward parents and not some perceived fault of society?

* When will we end this silly notion that those who favor living within our means are obstructionists while viewing those who take us down the path of financial ruin as somehow saviors of mankind?

* When will we recognize there is as much corruption on the bottom of the economic ladder as there is at the top of the ladder? Corruption is corruption -- there are no degrees.

* When will we hold parents responsible for underachieving students instead of placing the blame on poor schools?

* When will we realize that solutions don't always involve spending more money and that spending more money doesn't always solve problems?

But these questions won't be posed because we're too interested in gay marriage and bluejeans.