To vote or not to vote is my new dilemma.

I have participated in the election process at all levels since able to do so. After witnessing the fiasco of a predetermined impeachment trial, the public gets to appreciate tainted and partisan politics at its highest level. The nation has not been represented by their elected officials for decades. The mere existence of PAC programs continue to play the largest influence in our halls of Congress.

My largest quandary at this juncture is wondering if our election process is no longer a viable, sensible and honest method of electing only ONE individual to be president of the most influential nation on Earth.

Where is the voters’ discernment when we try to evaluate a field of 20 individuals to be leading our diversified and complicated country? To listen to the rhetoric of the continuous debates of persons pontificating on subjects which they have little or no knowledge just leaves me more confused than ever. No one individual has presented a good format of problem solving but only takes the allotted time to attempt to discredit each of the other candidates — a waste of everyone’s time, I feel.

If this position of being president was only responsible for our nation alone, it would be difficult enough. Time has now taught us that our ONE elected leader has to navigate and manage global conditions at all levels, let alone military concerns. Now we are able to add a third element of universal dominance going back to the Reagan years of developing “Star Wars” defense and space exploration.

Are we voters really that confident and assured that ONE individual, who is perhaps totally disjointed in all these areas, should be our choice for our uncertain future? The political electronic world has changed all of these massive areas of concern and leadership. It is no longer our granddad’s campaign techniques. At present we have three very aged men running for office. They have proven to be of good value in their selected careers. I do know this — that I am not thinking or able to do the things I once did at the age of 50. Add four additional years to their present age, and you have longevity beyond need.

In contemplating just how we might proceed, look at the defiance, deceiving, disorder, maneuvering, poor judgment, national abandonment, distrust and monarch mentality our present ONE-person leader has exemplified. His dismissing of any department head or agency chair (military included) or anyone opposing his theory or philosophy is eliminated. WOW … is a ONE-person regime the intention of our forefathers? Do a bit of homework and research on some of our past presidents, and you will find some extreme and frightening behaviors. I have difficulty in having faith in our present method of the election process to have a viable candidate.

Let us consider what the neutral country of Switzerland has for its leadership. The government is made up of seven members, elected by the Federal Assembly (research Swiss government). The members take in turn to act as president for a one-year term. The Swiss people can influence political affairs through a highly developed system of democracy. This system has been in place for hundreds of years. No ONE individual has so much authority as to cause irreparable damage.

U.S. politics have served us well for over 200 years, but not without numerous flaws. Perhaps it is time to research a new and more equitable form of representation.

Bruce Van Vranken lives in Tupper Lake.