I really dislike the term “the good old days”, as it implies the thinking of a person solely living in the past and not pursuing new adventures. Having stated my disdain upfront, in the good old days, political candidates encompassed a wide spectrum of thought and belief , whether Republican or Democrat.  Although we voters generally knew from which side of the political spectrum a candidate leaned, we could count on his/her intellectual honesty and character to guide their behavior (and votes) when in office.   Votes on congressional and Senate bills more often than not reflected some degree of party independence.  Rarely did we see straight party line votes.

But quoth the raven, nevermore !  Partisanship today runs at a fever pitch, and seldom do we see a House or Senate member stray too far from the party line, out of fear of losing coveted committee positions, or heaven forbid, a party-led primary challenge during his/her next election cycle.

I raise this chronological distinction as the result of a question I have for my Pennsylvania friends.   What possible reason, even for a Proglibocrat,  would you have to send John Fetterman to the U.S. Senate ?   Here’s a man who lived in Mommy’s house until age 49, has never had a real job, was given his house for a $1 payment to a sibling.   Oh, let’s not forget that, sadly, he suffered a stroke in May that has severely hindered  his cognitive abilities.   How silly of me to ask the question, because the answer is quite simple; the actual candidates do not matter any more.  My golden retriever could win in Pennsylvania if running as a Proglibocrat,  because his supporters know that he will vote 100% in a way he is told by the party leadership.   So why do candidates  waste time and resources debating, giving speeches, raising money, producing TV ads ?   Beats me !     The people running don’t matter    WHAT THE HECK !