At long last, the St. Louis Cardinals are World Series Champions. I’m a genetic fan of those redbirds, just because my grandfather loved the Gashouse Gang of the 1930s and my father followed his lead, with good reason, in the 1960s when the Cards took the series two years in a row.

Personally, my favorite player is first baseman Albert Pujols, a classic all-around player with an enviable batting stance and more enviable ability to hit home runs. Pujols is a great hitter because of a fundamental habit.

He keeps his eye on the ball.

That’s a good trait in real life, too, keeping your eye on the ball. But it’s tougher and tougher these days in an election season when good information may be hard to come by and half-truths or outright lies are in our mailboxes and on our answering machines every day when we get home.

Wedge issues such as gay marriage, a woman’s right to choose and prayer in public schools will surely always divide us. But they serve a greater purpose than that to those who would make much of our differences. They take our eyes off the ball. Those issues will never be reconciled in this country until we can talk about them rationally and with respect for both sides, regardless of which side we are on.

It’s easy to use those issues to rile everybody. It’s harder to talk about—and fix—issues like health care, the shrinking middle class, outsourcing of jobs, education and the environment. It’s harder to get people to invest in them emotionally, as well.

But those are balls to keep your eye on.

It won’t be any shock that I recommend voting a straight Democratic ticket this year, even though I have rarely done that in my voting career.

Here’s why:

Thirty years ago, when I was young and discounted age and wisdom, I thought Robert C. Byrd was past his prime. So much for my teenaged political analysis.

Byrd, if not my hero then, is certainly my hero today, not only because of his sheer courage in the face of an adverse political climate, but because he’s a student of the United States Constitution, and may in fact be the last one in Washington, D. C. He stands up for what he believes in Constitutionally and he holds this administration accountable for its actions, which is what patriotism is really all about. He has kept his eye on the ball.

He believes in our rights, he believes in West Virginia, and we can do no less than return him to the office he has held  since 1952.

Nick Rahall is a friend of the environment. He’s been a good Congressman for our state and district. His office is always responsive to questions and will return calls; that is not a usual circumstance with people in Congress. 

On a state level, Democrats who represent us should be returned to office, as well.

Walt Helmick is the Senate Finance Chair. He has helped Pocahontas County before and will again. Helmick has escaped opposition on this pass; however, he should have a vote of confidence from his home county.

Both delegates Bill Hartman and Bill Proudfoot have been the targets of some intensely rancorous mailings implying their records have not been reflective of their constituency’s values.

Those mailings come from a source called “For the Sake of the Kids,” a compelling name and one that even could pull at the heartstrings.

Except that it comes from Don Blankenship of Massey Coal fame. He’s also famous for financing the campaign of Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin, who now won’t recuse himself from cases involving the coal industry. I think that’s dangerous.

Blankenship seems to believe our votes are for sale because he is wealthy enough to mass mail misleading pamphlets to our doors.

While I haven’t always agreed with either Hartman or Proudfoot on their votes in the House of Delegates, I certainly see the value in returning their experience to Charleston for another term instead of choosing someone backed by a huge corporate entity.

Those mailings are an insult to our intelligence. Believing them will take your eye off the ball.

In the county, Martin  Saffer is the best choice for commissioner in a three-way race. Saffer is intelligent, capable, ready to work at the job and will undoubtedly be a dynamic influence on the commission.

An attorney, he will have extraordinary insight into issues facing the commission. In the years I’ve known him, I’ve found him to be thoughtful on issues, concerned about his community and forthright in his intentions. He is not a one issue candidate, as we are not one issue voters.

Saffer is the best candidtate in which to put your trust for the next six years.

I think he will keep his eye on the ball.

Keep your eye on the ball next Tuesday. Vote.