The Presidential Election took much of my time in 2004. I followed it intensely, monitoring speeches from candidates, rebuttals from opponents and pundits analyzing everything imaginable on talk shows. It was a long and grueling campaign. Through it all, I learned many things about politics.

The most important element to politics is this: You live in the world you have (the real world), not the one you want. By this, I simply mean that pure idealism inhibits one from seeing the oftentimes difficult realities of life. One can dream of what a great world it would be if this were true or that, but doing this is essentially a waste of time. It will only cause one to lose faith in the grand, rich republic we live in.

For a brief period this past campaign, I was sick with the idealism virus. I was frustrated with certain facts and realities of the federal government--mainly its size and great strength. My frustration turned into bitterness and then contempt. All throughout this, I kept thinking to myself, “This is ridiculous what‘s happening.” However, it still didn’t change the actuality that my vote had little say in a country with over 100 million voters.

I read some out-of-mainstream viewpoints on everything government-related and as much as I enjoyed some of the revolutionaries and idealists’ radical visions, their influence was unfavorable. I acquired a wealth of knowledge about information I previously knew little or nothing about, but it was not worth the stress that came with it.

This past election was quite an experience. I volunteered on the president’s reelection campaign for a few months--phone calls, door to door, even portraying Bush at a school debate. I enjoyed most of the time spent at the local headquarters, but I have one regret from it.

My only regret was that I wasn’t active enough within the campaign. Looking back, I realize I had a golden opportunity to make contacts with people who could help me in the future. In politics, grassroots efforts are key and hard work usually leads to advancement. Many times, in getting a job, it’s who you know that counts. I should have worked harder, more hours and with more enthusiasm. I wanted to fulfill bigger and better roles than I had, but never once asked. Toward the end of the campaign, I deserted my efforts because I thought I was apathetic about everything, when, in actuality, I was probably blinded by foolish idealism. I lost faith in the political system and became disillusioned with government because it wasn’t what I thought it should be.

It’s okay to feel distraught by reality, but when it reaches the point of contempt, it’s gone too far. There’s no use pretending the government’s not important--because it is. It has a hold of nearly every facet of our lives, so we should monitor its actions closely. The worst we can do as a nation is not care about what’s going on in Washington.

I realize now that as much as I desire vast change in the nation‘s capital, it’s not an overnight effort. Important change develops over time and it’s not worth stressing my life over every single fault with the current system.

Most importantly, with all its flaws, America is still the best country in the world.