Political Pukery
Politics.
You are warned before proceeding that I find myself cynical about politics and about the entire process and the people who choose to be politicians.
It's only January 4, and already I am tired of the political process, of the grand theatre that takes place every four years. The candidates are in spin mode at a fevered pitch, saying what they think ought to be said, seeking any angle to satisfy the masses who have yet to make up their minds.
But that's the thing, it doesn't matter. Because come January, whoever takes office will no longer be that candidate, and the passionate, fist-pounding, finger-pointing, hand-waving, voice-raising dynamo you watched in the late months of 2007 and the early months of 2008 will disappear forever, replaced by a chimera of partisan diplomacy, special interest groups, and ass-covering mania. We all long for a change, but do not hold your breath.
Perhaps politicians have always acted not on behalf of the people, for the good of their constituents, but for the preservations of their careers and the tenuous bonds of political 'friends'. Perhaps time dulls all faults and we simply think the founding fathers at least wanted the best for the people rather than operating in some strange, separate sphere that has nothing to do with the people and the good of the people and everything to do with money and prestige, reputation for the future years.
And finally, a few words on this year's race in particular.
Celebrities, shut up. The political fate of the nation has nothing to do with you, Oprah, George Clooney, Jesse Jackson, Paul Simon, Al Sharpton, Brad Pitt, etc. etc. etc. All you do is make your candidates seem like a trend and not a true political candidate.
It's exciting this year to have a minority and a woman out in front, even if you do not like either of them. BUT... voting for someone simply because they are a minority or simply because they are a woman is just as racially and sexually ignorant as if you did not vote for them based on that same criteria. It devalues the work they've done or the stances they take. It boils them down to ONE THING, and that's idiotic. It's unfair. It's insulting.
If a woman is beautiful and a genius, would anyone with half a brain cell look at her and say "Well, yeah, her career achievements have saved thousands of lives and she's easily a genius, but... look at her, she's so pretty! Don't you love her because she's so pretty?"
INSULTING. Ugh.
I hate this intricate, fake, and deceitful dance. I'll exercise my right to vote and I'll educate myself on the candidates, and I'll feel a little dismal by the time I make it to the booth. But though I won't be holding my breath for change, I cannot help but hope a little.
You are warned before proceeding that I find myself cynical about politics and about the entire process and the people who choose to be politicians.
It's only January 4, and already I am tired of the political process, of the grand theatre that takes place every four years. The candidates are in spin mode at a fevered pitch, saying what they think ought to be said, seeking any angle to satisfy the masses who have yet to make up their minds.
But that's the thing, it doesn't matter. Because come January, whoever takes office will no longer be that candidate, and the passionate, fist-pounding, finger-pointing, hand-waving, voice-raising dynamo you watched in the late months of 2007 and the early months of 2008 will disappear forever, replaced by a chimera of partisan diplomacy, special interest groups, and ass-covering mania. We all long for a change, but do not hold your breath.
Perhaps politicians have always acted not on behalf of the people, for the good of their constituents, but for the preservations of their careers and the tenuous bonds of political 'friends'. Perhaps time dulls all faults and we simply think the founding fathers at least wanted the best for the people rather than operating in some strange, separate sphere that has nothing to do with the people and the good of the people and everything to do with money and prestige, reputation for the future years.
And finally, a few words on this year's race in particular.
Celebrities, shut up. The political fate of the nation has nothing to do with you, Oprah, George Clooney, Jesse Jackson, Paul Simon, Al Sharpton, Brad Pitt, etc. etc. etc. All you do is make your candidates seem like a trend and not a true political candidate.
It's exciting this year to have a minority and a woman out in front, even if you do not like either of them. BUT... voting for someone simply because they are a minority or simply because they are a woman is just as racially and sexually ignorant as if you did not vote for them based on that same criteria. It devalues the work they've done or the stances they take. It boils them down to ONE THING, and that's idiotic. It's unfair. It's insulting.
If a woman is beautiful and a genius, would anyone with half a brain cell look at her and say "Well, yeah, her career achievements have saved thousands of lives and she's easily a genius, but... look at her, she's so pretty! Don't you love her because she's so pretty?"
INSULTING. Ugh.
I hate this intricate, fake, and deceitful dance. I'll exercise my right to vote and I'll educate myself on the candidates, and I'll feel a little dismal by the time I make it to the booth. But though I won't be holding my breath for change, I cannot help but hope a little.