For 33 years, I was a journalist. And one of my passions was politics. I covered politics. I interviewed several Presidential wanna-be's and one man who became President. And I headed up coverage of local, statewide and national elections at various newspapers.

Please don't hold that against me.

I happen to think that elections, politics and the way this country is governed is important. I am a sucker for West Wing because the characters are, well, nice. And idealistic. And trying hard.

I am distressed by the recalcitrance in Congress these days. On both sides. I am distressed that so many problems -- which could actually be resolved by a working government -- are ignored. Global warming? Racial injustice? Poverty? Corporate tax-dodging? Government ineptitude?

I am distressed by the amount of influence Corporations and Big Money have over our lawmaking process. I am distressed by the language of hate in this year's election, yet can also identify with the intense anger and frustration people are feeling.

And now we will watch another spectacle of inaction: The appointment of a new justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Or, more accurately, the non-appointment of a new justice.