Stephen Colbert for President?

It seems more and more people are jumping on the Stephen Colbert for President bandwagon especially right here on Facebook. While I personally like the prospect of a charismatic and witty individual in the presidential seat, I think far too many people have put far too much faith in Colbert in the very infancy of his campaign (that's assuming he will attempt a legitimate run for president.)

Without a platform or a political career he has already captured the support of millions through his television show and the effect can already be seen on facebook and the Colbert Nation. I'm not yet going to go on record saying that Colbert would be a bad choice by any means, but I would like to say there is no reason to suspect he would be a good choice as of this moment and further, this could upset a government which is already in trouble in many respects.

Our own nation as of right now is in growing trouble. Our dollar is getting weaker and weaker by the day because faith is diminishing worldwide that we ever intend to pay back the trillions of dollars owed internationally. Additionally, our nation is being seen as the "bad guy" as a war with very little remaining meaning (to the general public) continues.

While the USA could have taken the high road and backed off (at least to some degree) when CIA information was found to be faulty, we chose not to. When the US could have implemented a war-spending policy to soften the economic blow, no action was taken. While our nation is not in immediate peril, we are hurting badly.

So where does Colbert come into this mess, I'll tell you:

In the 2000 and 2004 elections, enough votes were taken by third parties to swing the vote in the opposite direction it otherwise (probably) would have gone. Now at that point it wasn't a terrible problem and war seemed reasonable because the CIA information hadn't yet been deemed faulty. Additionally, we were on the verge of "liberating" Iraq by holding a national vote there. After the results were in, they voted AGAINST democracy.

After discovering CIA information was faulty and the Iraqis desired a political system no different from their current system, it should have been an indication to leave, but the hint was never taken. Now we have a group of Republicans coming in who wish to continue the Iraqi war and (with the exception of McCain) additionally wish to continue "torture" of prisoners of war. While their economic policy may be better, we are still bound to suffer financially if the war continues.

Stephen Colbert's appeal lies mainly with college through 30-somethings. While this is a demographic which doesn't vote to a large degree, the percentage of votes they represent could go to Colbert and rob a candidate who has a sound economic and war policy already set fourth, of votes. In the primaries it's no big deal, but if Colbert decides to take his little joke / escapades farther and run as an independent candidate, he could further cripple a nation already injured by war spending.

Keep in mind, if Colbert fully throws himself into the ring, lays down a political platform, and draws enough support to win a primary, I have no problem with his antics and he may gain my vote as well. If however election day comes and you find yourself choosing between Colbert as an independent strictly for entertainment value, or a candidate with a legitimate platform and political credentials, please choose wisely. Your country may depend on it.