Popularism, grabbing a non-politician and getting him elected seems like the American way, as does the idea of “throw them all out.” All this “unhappiness” with the government we elect, is not universal among the voters as we now see. People make political choices over the craziest ideas and then wonder why they do not get what they expect.
Those making the most noise seem to garner the most “press,” the most man-in-the-street interviews, the most opinionists making most of their opinions. We are a nation of joiners. We love our “organizations” and to be able to crow over “donating” to this or that.
I believe that charity begins at home. We do not elect people because we want to “give” something to them, but rather, expect things from them.
Our lives are part of one big business and are expected to be consumers, producers, directors and fix things that come undone, all at the same time. We are expected to accept all things as part of the “we had to do something.”
We allow ourselves to be directed by what we think will benefit us and the nation and expect it to be immediate. Believe it when I say that no one wants Publix to go out of business, despite the steak you bought last week being tough.
We think that those we elect might have a hidden agenda because they didn’t vote for a $30 an hour wage. We buy things and complain when they have to be taken to an “expert” to be fixed. We want universality for all things and complain when our computer no longer does our bidding.
This says one thing: all things are harder than they look, including politics.
We have candidates that come to us at high levels because they have been around at the lower levels and know how all things work. Our party system brings forward a cheering section that supports one or another candidate because they do what Woody Allen said is 70% (90%) of life …. Showing up.
Like all organizations, the government at all levels must follow the law. While many may not like the laws under which they operate, they accept them, because they cannot be changed under most circumstances and have been seen to work “over time.” Some accept ideas that were promoted as “necessary” or “finally we have done something to correct (fill in the blank.).
Obamacare, just one of many things “given” to the public, is now so costly as to be seen as worthless.
Things that have, “over time” failed need to be jettisoned from the political dialogue. Obama, hero to the American black population, is now a side note as his tenure is being taken apart by AI. He will be forever seen as an “experiment” gone wrong and his “Obamacare” as the healthcare plan that had no healing associated with it.
Obama came up through the “ranks” and was promoted past his pay grade. He certainly sounded like he knew his politics and while he was more leftist than capitalist, he was also duplicitous.
Grass Roots candidates must be joiners and be seen as workers, because each legitimate candidate comes from someplace and it is necessary for them to have “worked” to get others elected. Each must know enough about how the government works to be able to be up and running at a moment’s notice. Each must have had interaction with those elected on both sides of the aisle and more, they must be able to articulate what might be wrong and “why” it needs to be changed.
All laws are repressive, some win and some lose when each law is passed. Andrew Wilcow has proposed “with each law passed, a new class of criminal is created.”
Should we support “grass roots” candidates? Overall yes. Supporting those on the “outside” allows for those on the “inside” to see what is wrong at all levels. Our support must be made on moral grounds. We need to get out the message loud enough for those elected to be forced to defend themselves.
Politics cannot be a part time endeavor. It cannot be “phoned in,” nor can it be a “one size fits all.” It must be continually cleaned of all things that have not worked over time. Today’s politics is one of money and influence.
The ballot box is the great equalizer. Every “serious” candidate must “know” everything. This tall order precludes those who “think” they have what it takes.
By Dr. Richard Pitz