I've alluded to this a lot in recent articles, most particularly in the more humorous area of my column, which is probably why I'm getting more concerned that my voice is not being added to the growing typhoon of others who are thinking exactly the same thoughts as I am:

That the GOP field, which is already a joke on its own, is trying collectively to steal Obama's dignity rather than focus on our real issues.

The candidates have had a lot of debates lately and I'm starting to wonder exactly how long it is before Obama wins by a landslide. I'm trying really hard not to generalize here, but I could fit every single one of them under "extreme conservatism" and/or "absolutely nuts". They spend all of their time doing one of three things:

1. Sucking up to their audience and dishing out statements that the voters want to hear.

2. Attacking each other.

3. Attacking Obama.

I think their time is spent mostly on #3 and least on #1. I know from watching debates in past elections that this attitude and these actions are fairly normal, but we are not in a normal situation right now. America is teetering on the brink of disaster and they're going to slam Mitt Romney for his stance on ABORTION? Get to the jobs! Get to the issues! Stop whining and start thinking of real solutions! Actually, I take that back: start thinking of solutions that actually work! (We all know I'm talking to you, Mr. Cain). I pride myself on being more centrist than I may display at times and I would happily vote for one of these candidates if they did not go up on stage and look like a ding dong for a few hours a night because they can't get themselves off gay marriage and on to the economy.

And what exactly is their thing about Obama? Yes, we know you all hate him. Do they even know what the best way to make themselves look good is? It's not trying to steal his dignity, because he'll outclass them even as he is singing in the shower to all of the world. It's actually proposing things that appeal to America as a whole. Not the far right, but all of this country. And things that actually work- for example, Cain's 9-9-9 plan does not make the cut. There's too much controversy surrounding it and I don't really get a good vibe from it to begin with. I'm also not keen on Bachmann's half a dozen amendments banning gay marriage either. 

Lately I've been trying to cook up ways to run for President as an Independent. I know there's some kind of age restriction, but despite that I think I would at least be able to talk to the people as if they had brains. I'd be able to propose ideas that would be widely accepted. I'd be able to break boundaries between the parties, because I have no loyalty to any of them. I'd also spend more time trying to think of good ideas that would benefit this country and not spend all my time bashing everyone else (that's for the satire articles). I don't want to sound arrogant or anything- I have no ideas at the moment, but I think my thinking reflects the overall frustration that I and many others have currently. What is a President if the entire thing is a circus show for the media?

So, I'm calling out the GOP candidates to hold civilized debates over topics that would turn this country in a positive direction, instead of pointing and yelling about the fact that we aren't. Make one night something SNL couldn't trash. Deny me, Leafydebater, king of crappy satire, the smallest morsel of anything usable to make fun of them. Get things started, because I'm tired of seeing nothing really promising in our government.