SEND IN THE CLOWNS
As we get closer and closer to the inevitable Presidential campaign for
2008, I find myself checking my medicine cabinet to be sure I am well
stocked with anti-depressants. The events of the last few weeks only serve
to exacerbate my anxiety. The foiled terror plot in England coming on the
heels of the Joe Lieberman lynching are leaving me with an enveloping sense
of dread. I am not a political expert; indeed I only became interested in
politics after 9/11. Like many of you, as a parent and citizen, I felt it
was time to pay attention as the future of our country became more and more
tenuous. I wonder, also, if one needs to be an expert to have a valid
opinion on the direction our country takes both in domestic and world
policy. I am a firm believer in the notion that there is a common-sense
thread to follow within most issues. What seems to be happening, and the
Lieberman debacle supports this, is a deep chasm growing between political
parties, and people in general. I see it in conversation with friends,
having always been one to ignore the time-worn policy of avoiding the
discussion of politics and religion; there is an increasing emotion, anger
really, in people’s defense of their views. Take the Lieberman situation as
an example. The vote was so slanted, Lieberman defeated by a relative
unknown, and all of it boiled down to the issue of the war. I am not
issuing pity for Joe. I think his political history is pretty clean, I
certainly don't agree with him on everything, and it's not the end of the
world that he lost. What bothers me is that everything he has done, all
that he has achieved, is dismantled and discarded over his support for the
war. That is short-sighted politics on the part of voters. I know enough
about him to know, and it is generally agreed, that he is a decent, honest,
family man who cares deeply for his country. He has managed to practice
politics without infusing his religious beliefs into it. He has always
struck me as straight-forward and I like that.
I've heard much on talk-radio and read as much in print that the terror plot
which unfolded in the wake of Lieberman’s defeat will send an "I told you
so" to those who voted him out. I don't believe it. Anyone who does not yet
believe that we are entering a new world order, isn't going to believe it
until they actually see the wing leaving their airplane in a cloud of flame
and smoke. Sadly, the division between us makes the necessary repairs less
likely to transpire in time. And with all this in play, the war in Iraq,
Israel and Lebanon, North Korea, a plethora of ills here at home...I doubt
my ability to mentally cope with another Presidential campaign.
In my voting history I have been all over the map. I am not bound to one
party. I look at the candidate, listen, try to get a feel of what the person
is made of, and then decide. I make no secret that I was very impressed
with John McCain when he ran for President. He swept New Hampshire and we
fell in love with him up here. I had a chance to meet him and listen to him
at a few of his "town hall" meetings. How refreshing to hear a politician
just be himself. Always ready with a humorous comeback, a no-nonsense style,
a patriot and war hero, lucid and cogent answers to questions with actual
solutions to problems at hand. It was almost dreamlike, after years of
hearing the same rehearsed responses from candidates that, when subject to
analysis, rendered no solution at all. That Copperfield magic where a
candidates mouth moves, sounds come out, and we all walk away actually
thinking we got an answer.
Then something happened to McCain. More than just the shameful attacks and
rumors spread by his opposition...his "handlers" got a hold of him. They
reeled him in. His campaign became rote, the same speech delivered time
after time, campaign-finance reform becoming his centerpiece. In short, they
sucked the magic out of him. I hope with all that is in me that if he runs
again, he will do so as himself. As for the rest of the usual players I
will have to self-medicate in preparation for enduring their assault on our
state. They show up at gas stations, diners, rest areas...you name it. I'll
listen with a small dribble running down my chin, nodding in feigned
agreement, resigning myself to another four years of non-leadership. My
fantasy of a true leader, a maverick, rising out of the fog of confusion
that is enveloping the world, and leading us out, will evanesce like fog
itself. Stuck with the same loquacious politicians talking about
health-care and taxes. How about some discourse over the governments
spending habits and the way they just throw our money away by the billions
with no oversight. Instead, I'll hear about the extra $150.00 I'm going to
get back on my tax return next year. I find that stuff insulting. I almost
want to throw a punch. Get real with us, or get the hell out of the race.
I
believe we are at a critical juncture as a nation. We need to clean house,
examine everything, find a way to institute change more expeditiously. The
wheels of Congress turn to slowly for today’s problems. We need a President
who will hop on a plane for issues other than Terry Schiavo. We need a
maverick and to get over our fear of a maverick. Moreover, we need to be
involved, listen, consider points of view other than our own and finally,
act as a nation with a common sensibility.