Too Many Black Eyes for Politics

Written by Jesse Barron from on May 28th, 2009 | 0 Comments

I would love nothing more than to run for and win public office.  I like to think that I am incorruptible.  I only say I think that because they say that power corrupts and if that statement is true, then perhaps I am not incorruptible.  I have never had a position of power to test myself.  I like to think I’d pass muster though.

What upsets me though is that I did a lot of dumb things when I was younger.  I am not upset that there is evidence of such.  I am upset that even though I have gotten past it, people may still choose to hold it against me.  There is plenty of dirt on me out there.  

I believe in living my life to the fullest and if somebody doesn’t agree with some of my choices, I am still going to die happy and having lived a long and fulfilling life.

Special interest groups would eat me alive.  Apparently, living your life and learning lessons that help you deal with what life throws at you is not an endearing trait to these folks.  The fact that I have had experiences that prove I have walked in the shoes that many others have walked in disqualifies me.

Why does it have to be that way?  Why can’t my mistakes be stepping stones to figuring out solutions to the things that woes us as a society?  Why does who I go home to each night and say “I love you” to affect my ability to lead?  As long as I am saying “I love you” to good hearted people that always try to do what is right in life, isn’t that what matters most?

Meanwhile, the people who are prone to scandal even today, continue to get re-elected to office.  They have skeletons in their closet that they never want to get out.  They give out political favors to keep these skeletons buried, because trust me, somebody is out there trying to dig them up.

If I ran for office and pulled all of my skeletons out for everybody to see, I would never get enough votes.  In politics, it’s not what you do that matters, its makes sure nobody figures it out.  I think that is the wrong way to go about it.

We all have skeletons in our closet.  We all have dark times in our lives that we are not exactly proud of.  So what if we have those things?  We’re living life!  You’re going to meet and associate with the wrong people at times in your life.  You’re going to do things that you are not exactly proud of.  Embrace those things — they make you who you are today.  You may be a completely different person if those things had not happened.

Would I have supporters if I ran for office?  I sure would like to know.  A lot of people comment that they share my political views.  I tend to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal.  Do what you want to your body but don’t hurt me, and don’t waste tax dollars.  I think that puts me firmly in the middle.  Am I wrong?

I don’t have anything to hide, but I think the voting population would rather their leaders hide their black eyes.

In case I run for office, they won’t have anything to dig up.  Here goes:

I am a proud homosexual.  I am in a loving and committed relationship that is going on two wonderful years now.  I hope to one day marry the love of my life.  

In my early 20’s I did what many gay men do (some says it a rites of passage) and I had a drug problem.  Two days ago I celebrated seven years sober.  I also turn 30 in two days.  I have had people tempt me with drugs during that time and I have proven to myself that they are not for me.  Life has so many more wonderful experiences to offer me when I am sober.  

I rarely drink.  I may drink three to four times a year and when I do, it is to get drunk.  If I am going to bother with drinking, it might as well be a great time.  I am going to wakeup with a massive hangover, say “that’s was fun” and end up repeating it six months later.

I smoke cigarettes.  It is nasty and I hate the fact that I do.  However, when I have quit, my Crohn’s has acted up (something interesting: if you have Crohn’s Disease, your doctors will tell you that quitting may make you sick; it does).  I strated smoking when I was 16 because I thought it was cool.  Then, when I thouht it was un-cool, I was already addicted.  I have switched to smoking electronic cigarettes half of the time.  They help get the nicotine you need without all of the nasty chemicals found in cigarettes.  I believe in them and even promote them on this blog.  I did smoke them exclusively, but I missed smoking a cigarette.  I also think that everyone who has serious addiction in their history needs one vice.  Smoking is mine.

Do these things make me a horrible person?  I don’t think so.  I have a wonderful social network and an amazing family.  We are all very loving people.  I also have the respect of many admirable people.

If it does make me a bad person, then so be it.  I love my life.  I will die a happy person with zero regrets.  Isn’t that the way we all want to die?

I am Jesse Barron.  One day, I hope you will give me the priveldge to serve you.