Fall is upon us and it is another election year. Amidst calls of a national banking crisis, a continuing war abroad and lukewarm banter between two main-party candidates for President, I am left wondering—is this the best mainstream America could muster for political leadership? …Honestly? If the president of the United States is popularly dubbed “leader of the free-world”, Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama offer scant little in the way of political credibility that makes me think either are suited for enormous responsibilities accompanied by this position of power. Politicians fervently demand my vote, my time, my money—television advertisements, persistent emails and the hecklers on my street corner proclaim so. Yet, I remain searching for a leader I want to believe in.

In moments of inner turmoil about lack of choices hosted within the modern electoral system, I catch myself longing for the fictitious world of Aaron Sorkin’s West Wing. The storyline explores how a “good man” weighs the responsibility of the presidency. Though at times preachy, the program demonstrates some of the debacles modern politicians face as questions of political identity, religious conviction, and philosophy are set to play against a backdrop of foreign policy, the twenty-four hour news cycle and domestic needs. Although I differ from political advisors Josh Lyman and Toby Ziegler on policy-issues, I remain deeply attracted to their altruism. In that oval office the power of the presidency is used to give benefit to the greater community, particularly those members that are in special need of assistance. The use of executive and legislative power exercised on the West Wing set stands in stark contrast to the America in which I live. The actors and writers of the West Wing create political zeal I wish modern American politicians could inspire in me.

In lieu of being able to simplify our surroundings into a voyeuristic forty-two minutes, as active citizens we must become better at dealing with the world’s complications. This means acting in ways that articulate politics outside of the electoral system. Too often members of the electorate saunter into territories of political apathy or become steeped in the rigors of two-party ideology after being shackled to the voting booth. Voting may be one way to make change in America, but surely we can find better ways of breeding hope for the future. Let us radical-progressive-leftists get moving. We need to find ways of re-energizing Americans about politics that do not include get out the vote drives. We must strengthen our civic participation to maintain a vibrant democracy. We must enliven political discourse around dinner tables, in classrooms and in places of worship. We must educate for media literacy. West Wing was successful at creating a platform of hope, of belief that government can and should and will do something good for the electorate. I am not sure if such a government can exist outside of prime-time. However, in lieu of certainty, I am willing to take a risk to say that the sort of world that I would like to live in can exist, and that I can have a role in its creation. We have the power to build strong communities and in these nooks and crannies a healthy future. People need to rid themselves of the notion that voting is their only power because participating in other political avenues is necessary to create a government that is accountable, honest, and responsive.

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