Super Bowl Sunday v Super Tuesday

I, along with most of the rest of the nation, will be watching the Super Bowl today. (And like many, I will be enjoying the hospitality of a friend’s house – thanks Mr. Krebs!) Perhaps the Patriots will make history or perhaps the Giants will win the biggest upset since the Pistons dismantled the Lakers in the NBA Finals a few years ago.

Regardless of the outcome, we can rest assured that millions of people not only will be tune in, they have been debating the probable outcome for the last couple of weeks. For days – if not weeks – after the game, millions will continue to discuss the game, and the commercials.

Compare this activity to the general level engagement of the polity in connection with Super Tuesday. Two days after the Super Bowl, nearly half the states will participate in the presidential selection process (via caucus or primary) for the major party candidates. Despite the fact that the nation is at a critical crossroads (Iraq, Afghanistan, looming recession, housing crisis, social security, deficits, etc.), the general public has paid far less time and energy on Super Tuesday than the Super Bowl. Presidential elections themselves receive less participation.

How we expect to survive as a free nation when we spend more time and energy on sports than on selecting our most important political leader is beyond me. We need to make the political process more important, and view the Super Bowl for what it is – a great game for a great sport – and nothing more.

If you still have the opportunity to vote in the primary process or are interested in how to make elections as important as sports, check out my website (including its review of the candidates) at http://www.americassurvivalguide.com/index.php.