We call it a democracy but as we have seen during this long drawn-out primary election process it is far from democratic.

I have a problem with our primary paradigm and the difference between the nomination processes from party to party.

It is inconsistant.  In some states the Democrats can vote more than once and they have set up party rules that exclude State delegates if they do not abide by primary schedules of their parties.

The Republicans have a win or take all primary; the Democrats work on the percentage of the win for delegates, which means a loser, can pick up some delegates.

Neither party allows the voter to have a say in the nominee’s selection of a running mate.

I find this in conflict with our Constitution representing, “We the People.” Because the Presidential running mate is but a bullet away from being President, I think I should have a say in who the running mate might be of a presidential nominee.

It is clear in both parties, that it is party politics as usual and of course both parties encourage us to get out and vote — vote for what?  Vote for what party politics serves up and the voter, for the most part,  has no say in this political process.

From a voter prospective this does not represent a democracy.

John McCain has been selected as the Presidential nominee for the Republican party.  The process the GOP uses seems to me to be more reasonable than what I have seen in the Democratic party.  However, in either party, I have no say in who his/her running mate might be.  He will select this person through some party politics — not voter preference.

Meanwhile on the Democratic side we have a donnybrook developing between Clinton and Obama, both seeming to be vying for who will be on top of the ticket, but it looks as though for the sake of party politics they will be the ticket, but we don’t know who will be on top at this juncture.

At the present time we have a 650,000 difference in popular vote between Obama and Clinton, favoring Obama, this is without including Michigan or Florida.

Now if we include Michigan and Florida the race narrows to a mere 3,000 popular votes in favor of Obama.

However, Obama still leads in delegate votes.

Today Clinton was already making overtures for a joint ticket — of course, with her on top.

It could all come down to Michigan and Florida.  Both states decided to violate and hold primaries before the Dems wanted it and they were stripped of their delegates.

Obama was not on the ballot in Michigan, and Clinton appeared on both and won in both states.  It is possible that caucuses will be held in both states after the fact, but Clinton supporters say that’s unfair.  Whatever may occur, if both candidates do not agree, one or the other will file a law suit.

And so again, “We The People” are left out of the equation.

Meanwhile John McCain, the Republican nominee, needs to find ways to stay in the headlines.  It will not be easy, for the Democratic race is hot and that’s where the media attention will be.

McCain needs to pick a running mate, and again I have nothing to say about it.

On the Democratic side you can bet deals are already being discussed, and the voters again have no input, but don’t be surprised if Clinton and Obama don’t wind up on the same ticket, for there is no honor among thieves.  I don’t know if that’s true, I heard that somewhere.