On the EDge: I’m voting for Santa

OPINION – If anybody has the nerve to ask, I’m voting for Santa.

I have changed over to the Christmas Party and currently have no use for any of those other folks who have been fouling the air with their hollow promises and ignorant world view.

I’m weary of the craziness of a presidential campaign that has become an embarrassment a year before we go to the polls and disheartened by what it has done to further separate us from the decency that I hope remains within our hearts.

Don’t get me wrong, I love politics, I love history and world events.

But right now, I’m fed up with it all and not looking forward to what lies ahead in a few weeks when they really get serious about it when the primary season begins.

It’s time for a Christmas ceasefire, which is why I hope the magic of Christmas, as seen through the eyes of children, touches us all this year.

We could certainly use it.

We’ve grown weary, fatigued by the press of worldly events – from the tragedies of the senseless shootings that never seem to fade to the anger that is the residue of a presidential race that has everybody over-heated, with nearly a year before we cast ballots.

Of course, no matter who wins, we all will lose because what we have already done to ourselves as we debated Trump, Clinton, Sanders, Carson, and the others has resulted in enough person-to-person damage to make the resuscitation of a nation almost impossible at this point. The hangover from next year’s election will be long and painful, regardless of the outcome.

It was really not a bright idea to hold these intermural debates so far ahead of the election year. All it did was dampen spirits as we entered into what is traditionally a joyous season.

So, I hope you all are too busy to get involved in any of that for the next week or so. I hope you have too much shopping, traveling and visiting to do that none of you have room in your heads for the wannabes lined up with visions of the Oval Office dancing in their heads.

I hope your remote controls break and will not allow you access to Fox, or CNN, or MSBC.

I hope all of the political pundits take the rest of the year off and spare us any more of their babble.

And, I pray that violence takes a vacation, that the spirit of the holiday arrives and touches the heart of mankind, which is pretty tender right now.

I don’t think we really like what’s going on.

I mean, really, do we like mistreating each other? Do we like shouting each other down? Does it feel good to try to come up with the nastiest, crudest bit of garbage to post or report in hopes of changing somebody’s mind regarding who should or should not be the next leader of the free world? Can the haters stop hating?

That would be a Christmas gift of magnificent proportion.

And, while we’re at it, I’m tired of Gwen and Blake; aging rock stars trying to beef up the trust funds for unborn great-grandchildren by rereleasing stuff that was stale 10 years ago; millionaire athletes complaining about how unfair life is; and billionaire corporate honchos who gripe about how expensive fuel is for their G5.

History has shown that mankind is capable of great undertakings at this time of year.

Wars have been stopped, if only temporarily, to celebrate the season.

People have been known to actually get together and enjoy each other’s company without the ugliness of what life has become and wish each other peace and love.

The greatest gift we can give each other this Christmas is the gift of civility, regardless of race, creed, or political persuasion.

With a little luck, it could be the gift that keeps on giving, particularly if we decide that it feels good to not be so angry all of the time.

Look, there is plenty going on to ruffle our feathers.

But, it’s Christmas, don’t we have better things to do?

It’s the end of the year, the beginning of a new year, don’t we have loftier goals?

I certainly hope so.

Our purpose is not to divide, our purpose is to encourage each other, to carry each other, to learn from each other, even though sometimes those lessons can be quite challenging.

I’m cashing in my ticket to the freak show and sitting it out, at least for a little while. I’ll worry about all of that other stuff later.

I’ve got other, better things to do.

There are certain Christmas songs I haven’t heard yet this year that I must dust off and I think it will be cool to watch the “Charlie Brown Christmas” special on Christmas Eve, which, believe it or not, is the show’s 50th anniversary. And, of course, there’s the quiet time with my wife that I cherish.

All that other stuff?

Meh.

So, have a very Merry Christmas, and if anybody asks, just tell them you’re voting for Santa.

But, when you and the little ones leave his treat by the fireside Thursday night, you might consider pouring him a good stiff drink instead of milk.

After checking his naughty list this year, I’m sure he could use one.

Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

No bad days!

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Twitter: @STGnews, @EdKociela

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

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6 Comments

  • BIG GUY December 22, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    My sentiments exactly, Ed. Too much, too long. I’ve tuned out. Merry Christmas.

  • Uncle Lenny December 23, 2015 at 7:35 am

    God bless us everyone. No exceptions. Merry Christmas. Another vote for Santa!

    • .... December 23, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      Take Xmas and stuff it Lenny. no thanks, I don’t celebrate a lie

  • GrandmaB December 23, 2015 at 8:17 am

    I kind of agree. But, as with a lot of Progressives, I’m really tired of the “both parties do it” syndrome that seems to flow from the extreme Right. It isn’t true. Both parties DON’T do it!! All of the candidates on the Right seem hell bent on smearing anyone and everyone. Then they open their mouths and the hatred spews forth. No one has to say a word. Just listen.

    Sorry if you wanted a different kind of “objectivity.” I like the true kind.

    • RealMcCoy December 23, 2015 at 11:36 am

      You mean you like the Left? Where everyone is entitled to an opinion or thought as long as it it agrees with yours, and if it doesn’t you are immediately labeled a racist, bigot, extremist, Fox News lover, or a hater?
      Your statement is an exact example of how “you leftists” like to point a finger at the “right” and accuse them of the very things your side does.
      However, I expect nothing less from an Ed supporter such as yourself. 😉

  • .... December 23, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    The fake Mcdork strikes again with another load of B.S . I had to break out my wading boots on this one. the only point of view acceptable in his twisted mind. is what ever agrees with his ignorance .

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