It's An Ill Wind
Still a month to go before Americans go to the polls. And yet, it seems the campaign is over. The candidates are still in there, grasping at every opportunity to enhance themselves and cast dark aspersions on one another. Seems, however, the battle, though it goes on, was won quite a while ago. There are two parties only, the electorate must make its selection; one or the other.The currently governing Republicans have divested themselves of the public trust; this administration has been so devoid of anything remotely resembling good judgement it's hardly a wonder that the public has no stomach for more of the same. Even from a self-proclaimed 'maverick'. Who just happened to find it expedient to ditch his otherness and become as one with hard-right Republicanism values.
Deviating, though, to the other side, teetering with indecision, promising an all-out rescue for all the small investors, the householders, the business owners who have been trampled in the rush to buy out the corrupt debt of the nation's investment houses and banks who really don't have to change much, since bail-outs are so easy to come by.
His lunatic inspiration in nominating Sara Palin as his running mate, while gaining him a rise in public interest for a short blaze of glory, has run into the ground of reality. That this amply ego-endowed woman, while in some respects remarkable for her range of accomplishments outside the world of politics, represents now as another raw politician on the make.
And didn't she luck in. She'll dine out on that experience for a very long time. Just too bad that Senator McCain couldn't turn back the clock and muse a little longer to come up with an experienced, reasonable and worthwhile political partner in his gamble to achieve the presidency. Thereby resurrecting his own self-respect. His lamentably juvenile choice of vice-president has really deep-sixed his ambitions.
Choose a tired elderly gentleman who has led a more or less exemplary life and presents as an experienced politician with ambitions to outstretch his potential. Accompanied by a rough diamond that could be polished to the bright shine of a zirconium, learning on the job just like George W. did. Or select instead an evangelical-bright light of reason, eager and willing to learn on the job, ably assisted by a tried-and-trusted partner.
Either way there's a great, huge divide between expectation and potential. Anything can happen, and most likely will. Just think of George W. settling into a lacklustre but acceptable stint as a sitting-tight president, and then all hell breaks loose and he casts about for an anchor to focus on. That psychological trauma led the country to its current malaise.
Well-intentioned Senator McCain gone off-character in his zeal to present as the logical next choice. Or calm, poised and confident Senator Obama, ready to pick up the slack and turn the ship of state in another direction entirely.
If circumstances permit. Nothing is ever that easy.
Labels: United States
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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