The Ideal President

About the Author

Bryan Hyde is a husband, father of 6, truth-seeker, teacher, writer, speaker, and stirrer of pots. He has been a local radio commentator and writer in Southern Utah for the past 16 years.

Bryan can be heard on the Perspectives morning show on Fox News 1450 AM 93.1 FM. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

Email: bryanh@stgnews.com  Twitter: @youcancallmebry

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2012, all rights reserved.

Working in the media, I’ve covered every general election for the past 24 years.

The pre-election hype from both parties is always the same: “These are your only choices. You have to choose one.” And yet, somehow, regardless of who wins, the size and costs of government predictably metastasize and freedom declines.

The current two-party system has made an absolute science out of promoting the illusion of choice minus the possibility of anything actually changing. If you doubt this, just consider the ridiculous contrived reasons for which people say they hate one candidate or the other in the presidential race.

Two-party groupthink encourages political theater and nothing more.

Yet, when someone refuses to follow the herd, the system’s supporters, in a classic case of psychological projection, accuse the non-compliant of succumbing to narcissism and self-aggrandizement.

How dare someone think outside the box when there is political power at stake and legal plunder to be done? But wouldn’t a vote that perpetuates such a system constitute an admission of surrender?

I thought about this as I took advantage of the opportunity to vote early this week. As I participated in the high sacrament of our civic religion, I had an epiphany about how to make my vote count like never before.

Over the years, I’ve often written in the names of good, honest, and wise men and women who I felt best represented the principles of good governance. But for the first time, I added a name that I had never before put on the ballot – my own.

This year I wrote myself in for President. And here is why I did it.

Whether I win the presidency or not, I’ll be spending the next four years bringing about some serious, and long overdue, changes. I plan on bringing about a number of sweeping reforms that will measurably make this nation a better place to live.

What’s more, I will accomplish this without adding a single dime to the already bloated federal budget. I will not be borrowing money to achieve my goals. Reducing or completely eliminating debt will be my top priority during this time.

My presidential policies will promote peace, friendship and commerce with all, while carefully avoiding entangling alliances with those who thrive on conflict. I will maintain the ability to effectively defend life, liberty, property and sovereignty, but this will not require having to exercise dominion over others.

I will place greater emphasis on shoring up education, health care, agriculture and wise use of energy. I will promote increased independence from outside resources and greater self-sufficiency. Aid for the truly needy will continue on a strictly voluntary basis, but there will be increased emphasis on community service.

I expect these improvements to cultivate an increased degree of patriotism and love of country. They will demonstrate to all who have eyes to see, that the promise of America still exists and thrives.

Be honest. Do my reforms seem too idealistic?

If I were suggesting that these policies should be applied to the nation generally, I’d have to agree. But when applied to myself, as an individual, they are completely within the realm of possibility. Living within my means, paying off debt, tending to my greenhouse, and strengthening myself intellectually, physically and spiritually are all things I can do.

That’s why I chose to vote for me.

I have absolute say over every single reform listed above because I have absolute influence over the individual for whom I voted. Each of my policies will have a real and measurable impact on my own life as well as a positive effect on the lives of those around me.

Whether others sign off on these reforms or not, does not hinder my ability to pursue them as I choose. And they won’t cost you a dime nor will they infringe upon any of your rights. I’ll take full responsibility for making them happen.

My happiness will not be dependent upon making change through politics or exercising dominion over others. Best of all, I will not have wasted my vote on a two-party system that has only its own best interests at heart.

Grumble about how I’ve thrown my vote away if it makes you feel better. But it’s what we do after we’ve voted that determines whether we’ll ever see real improvement.