Dear IL Primary Candidates: I'm Not Your Ho.

The Illinois primary election took place yesterday, and I'm happy to have been a part of the trifling voter turnout to let my voice be heard. I have an inaudible but optimistic dream that someday I'll be able to pick up where I left off....at the very least...two years ago. But my dream is left in the hands of politicians who will say anything to win my emotions. I fell for that before. I feel like I should be awarded a t-shirt that would say, "I Voted for Obama and all I got was this Lousy $25 in my Unemployment Check."

In my heart, I know not to expect much. I hope to be proven wrong, but the reality is that after some careful review of all the candidate's platforms, they ALL have one thing in common: job creation. There is no denying that job creation is one of the biggest issues facing our country today (This blog wouldn't have existed if that wasn't the case). My problem, however, is my ability to separate fact from fiction. As I analyze the platforms, I ask myself, 'Is job creation a top priority because candidate X really fucking cares, or is X saying that to win my vote?' Like someone whispering sweet nothings into my ear, this is a mantra that easily resonates with me. But don't throw me a line of bullshit just to sleep with me, or in this case....win my vote. I'm not your ho. Save that crap for your mistress.

I saw none of the Obama charisma. The only person that might even come close is Alexi Giannoulias (who, I'm pretty sure, has MANY ho's) who uses the following tag: "Jobs:A Big Issue" or something to that effect. Well, it's sexy and all, but perhaps it was silly of me to want something more. For example, rather than suggest another type of stimulus package, how about suggesting something along the lines of, 'Guess what? China's economy is BOOMING. As American citizens, we must ask ourselves WHY. With that said, I will fight to the death to remove ALL of the manufacturing jobs OUT of China and back into the American economy, where there will be job growth, and most importantly, put an end to the constant worry for the consumer in regards to product recalls.'

But no. That would be common sense. And sadly, common sense isn't all that common.

Not one candidate has proposed anything even remotely close to that. It's a bunch of mindless chatter that everyone has heard before. It is for that reason I did not watch the State of the Union in its entirety last week. They are all bullshit dialog that I've heard more times than I care to admit. I really thought that when I voted for Obama, I would be employed by now. Instead, I got an increase. Still no job, no health benefits of my own, no retirement money, no promise for the future. I know one day our economy will get back on track, but I'm skeptical as to whether yesterday's winners have the potential of turning things around. And I have the right to be.

Everybody talks. Nobody listens. If there ever comes a day where a politician has demonstrated superior listening skills, that, to me, represents REAL change.

We can only hope.