Peace on earth is no politics for a month

I have a political suggestion. Let's designate the December before a presidential election as a political free zone. That would mean that starting next week, the presidential wannabes would quietly slip back into their caves and hibernate for the month.

Like it or not, this is the holiday season and if anyone is extremely focused on politics right now they probably need to get a real life. I understand that this suggestion will fall on deaf ears. But most of the political rhetoric during December will also fall on deaf ears.

In the spirit of the festive holiday season, our favorite Majority Leader Harry Reid decided to keep the Senate in session over Thanksgiving so that President Bush could not make any recess appointments. Those appointments are made by virtually every President during times when the Senate in not in session. The appointments are temporary in nature but Reid was having none of it. So much for cooperation!

But honestly, shouldn't we be focusing on other issues like friends and family during the Christmas season? I understand the national needs and priorities don't disappear simply because it's the Christmas season. But after months and months of this daily diet of politics, December would provide a wonderful break that I suspect we all could use right about now.

I tip-toed into the shopping season this past weekend. If the economy is so bad then why are the stores so crowded? Maybe in January some politician can answer that question. As I watched my fellow shoppers it was obvious that politics was the most distant thought from their minds. And that is how it should be.

If just one of our presidential candidates would announce a suspension of the campaign for the entire month of December, I truly think that candidate would actually gain support. The candidate could announce that he/she was truly honoring the reason for the season. They could allow their staff time with their families. Instead of spending a few million bucks on advertising in Iowa, maybe they could funnel a few bucks to some families who are less fortunate this year. Heck, maybe they could even volunteer to help as a Salvation Army bell ringer and not do so for the publicity.

And now as I awaken from this dream, I read nothing but politics in the national media. The truth is the politicians are much more interested in your vote than in recognizing what is really important this time of year.