“There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can ‘control’, and what they cannot.”

— Plato

You may call me crazy … many have … but politically, I’m not angry.

I honestly believe it is a tribute to the muscle of democracy when the current three top contenders for the most powerful political position in the world are a Jewish, Democratic Socialist; a blustery businessman on his third wife, with no political experience; and a woman.

Let’s just set Hilary Clinton aside for a moment. The smart money expected that she would be the Democratic choice. After all she is the Grand Dame of one of the two existing political dynasties of the time (Clintons and Bushs). But actually the fact that her nomination is not a ‘fait accompli’ is something to delight in. It suggests that the will of the people speaks louder than money and influence (the same could be said of Jeb Bush). To be clear I’m not dissing on Hilary, far from it, but the fact that she is in the hunt is no surprise.

But when you consider that both Trump and Sanders could be our next president, well that is amazing. Now granted anyone who knows me could likely guess that if I had to choose between Sanders and Trump I’d prefer Senator Sanders. But if the truth be told, both have taken positions that I find refreshing.

What I find most astounding is that both Bernie and ‘The Donald’ have bucked the system and beaten the odds and have toppled candidates far more established and mainstream. Now granted the nomination will be decided by super delegates votes (something that many disagree with) but perhaps we are entering a new age where, down the road, this too could change.

Norm, from the TV show “Cheers,” was sitting on a barstool when someone greeted him with, “Hey ‘Normmy’, whaddya say?”

Norm replied, “Any cheap and tawdry thing that will get me a beer.”

If you substitute ‘Vote’ for ‘beer’ that is what politics has become. It is difficult to know the true feelings of politicos, on both sides, as it seems they change their position to match the feelings of their audience. It is bracing to have candidates speak their mind and almost dare the American public not to support them.

The popular sentiment is that the reason why Bernie and Donald have been successful is that the American public is ticked-off. I don’t doubt that but I honestly don’t understand why. Certainly there is huge room for improvement in this country. But for 240 years we’ve been on a serious roll and I can’t think of a better place to live.

In a nut shell if you were born white, healthy, in America stop your bellyaching. You have it better than 90 percent of the planet.

I can’t think of a nation which has made such social, political and human rights gains. Just in my lifetime we’ve gone from legalized segregation to a black president.

We have a creed of people who have been persecuted since before the time of Christ nearly exterminated by a German madman. Now this creed has their own nation (Israel) and also has a prominent place in every facet of government, arts and commerce in this country.

We have a gender of Americans who only got the right to vote — granted by the 19th Amendment — in 1920 and now a woman could in fact be our next president.

And don’t get me started on Rogain, Botox, and Viagra … not that I use any of that stuff.

And if you ever had any doubt about the resiliency of our constitution and the possibilities contained in our democracy just consider what is happening now in American primaries.

Lest I get kicked out of my progressive, bunny cuddling, reading group I will state that I believe ‘The Donald’ is a brilliant pretender who caters to the angry yet uninformed and would be a horrible POTUS. But I also think he would not be the worst we’ve ever had nor would he (again because the power of our constitution) be able do much damage. On the plus side, if elected, he might cause those who are angry at the status quo to realize how goods they’ve had it.

Again, I’m not angry, far from it.

We live in an amazing country with incredible opportunities. Yes I wish we had more affordable health care, a smaller national debt and a more productive Congress. “In a democracy the people get the government they deserve.” Our votes speak more loudly than angry words, that said, I think things will change.

So to paraphrase Plato, don’t get angry at what you can control (influence). Or to quote ‘The Donald’ referring to Rand Paul, “He is like a spoiled child with a nonfunctioning brain.” (Not paraphrasing.)…………

Jeffrey Bergeron, under the alias of Biff America, can be read in several newspapers and magazines. He will host a book signing at Next Page Books & Nosh in Frisco on Feb. 20 from 4-6 p.m. and can be reached at biffbreck@yahoo.com. Biff’s new book “Mind, Body, Soul.” is available at local shops and bookstores and at BackcountryMagazine.com/Store