Well, election season is rolling around again, and I’ve done some thinking.
I’ve decided I’m not voting for any Michigan Democrat.
Before somebody gets their keyboard warmed up, let me explain. This isn't because I think every person wearing a blue shirt is automatically the devil. It’s because I’m tired of hearing politicians tell us they’re “for the people” while the people are standing there wondering, “Which people exactly?”
Because apparently, the people I know must have gotten left off the list.
Everything keeps getting more expensive. Gas, groceries, housing, insurance, utilities—you name it. Yet somehow the solution always seems to be another meeting, another program, another regulation, or somehow… another way to get more money out of my wallet.
At this point, my wallet needs its own political representative.
And here's the part that really gets me: politicians love telling us how somebody else is the problem.
“It's their fault.”
“No, it's their fault.”
“We inherited this mess.”
Meanwhile, I'm standing here thinking, “You’ve been in charge long enough that the excuse department needs to retire.”
I don't need politicians to promise me the world.
I need them to use a little common sense.
Look at a problem.
Figure out what actually caused it.
Fix it.
And, most importantly, stop making the people who are already struggling pay for every bad decision.
I’m also tired of the constant political finger-pointing. If your entire campaign depends on convincing me that the other guy is worse than you, maybe tell me what you are actually going to do.
Don't just tell me what you hate about your opponent.
Tell me why I should trust you with my tax dollars.
And here's another crazy idea:
How about finding ways to spend less before finding ways to collect more?
I know that's apparently a radical concept in politics.
Out here in the real world, if my paycheck doesn't cover everything, I don't get to just walk over to my neighbor and say, “Congratulations! You now owe me more money.”
I'd probably have a very short neighborhood meeting.
So when I vote, I'm looking at the person—not just the letter next to their name.
I want somebody who understands what it costs to live in Michigan.
I want somebody who understands that working people aren't an unlimited ATM.
I want somebody who can think critically instead of automatically following whatever the party tells them to say.
And I want somebody who remembers that they work for us.
Not the other way around.
So if you're wondering why I'm not voting for Michigan Democrats, that's my answer.
I'm looking for less political theater, less finger-pointing, less government waste and fewer hands reaching into my wallet.
And if a candidate—Republican, Democrat, independent or somebody who wandered into the race by accident—can actually convince me they believe in those things, I'll listen.
But until then...
My vote isn't a participation trophy.
You've got to earn it.
And preferably, leave my wallet alone while you're doing it.
