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Cựu Dân Biểu Liên Bang Ernest
Istook
The most political of all American events are trying to
appear non-political.
“We’re just like you,” was the subliminal message as
Democrats convened in Denver, and is certain to be repeated
by Republicans gathering in Minnesota.
Humble beginnings, mixed with talk of raising children,
working hard and trying to make ends meet were the focus of
multiple speakers this week, and will be repeated for sure
next week.
The goal is to make candidates appear to have turned average
circumstances into spectacular results, as a supposed
example of how they can turn the lemons of American life
today into lemonade for tomorrow.
Knowing how disenchanted most voters are, especially with
Washington, DC, the Super Bowls of politics—the national
conventions—are aimed at convincing us that they’re not
about politics. They do this by showcasing claims that they
involve everyday people and cross-sections of typical
America.
That veneer wears off, however, when it’s accompanied by
constant political criticisms of the opposition, however
cute and funny many of their one-liners are.
Barack Obama was praised for
not going to work for a big law firm when he could have,
just as John McCain will be honored for serving as a Naval
aviator, and held captive for years as a POW.
Celebrating “firsts” serves as a stand-in for discussing
issues. Having a black American as a major party nominee is
highly significant, as it would be to have a woman. Having
a never-say-die oldest-ever President would also be
significant.
No “first” is a reason to grant someone the most powerful
position in the world, to give them control of America’s
enormous executive branch of government plus command of a
bully pulpit from which to shape much of the world as well
as our country.
Visuals and backdrops are key to modern politics—showing
candidates surrounded by happy, elated people. I’m writing
before Obama’s stadium speech, so I’m uncertain how it will
come across. A stadium filled with football or baseball
fans is all-American. A stadium filled with political
trappings still makes me think about places like Nuremberg,
Red Square and propaganda displays.
That may be unfair, but the election is still about power:
Power over how we live our daily lives, how much we keep of
what we earn, how much we depend upon government and how
much we do for ourselves, even if self-reliance seems like
the hard way. And it’s about the power to control the vast
mechanisms of the federal bureaucracy that sends us messages
about what to do and even what to think.
Sadly, I’ve heard little talk so far about principles. Most
of what I’ve heard has been appeals to self-interest, with
variations on the theme of “I’m from the government, and I’m
here to help you.”
Hoopla and hype are our constant companions for nine more
weeks as the endless Presidential campaign gets even more
intense. That sounds impossible, yet it will intensify.
Labor Day is the traditional start—except that all the
candidates were true Sooners this year, jumping in and
setting a frenetic pace throughout this year.
It’s a challenge to make intelligent decisions when we
there’s so much effort to sway our emotions and to
substitute simple thoughts for deep thoughts. Like true
Americans, we need to rise to that challenge.
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