As I begin the spring and summer season of book talks and signings, I become preoccupied with topical subjects to address. I really wish to continue the engaging practice of informing audiences about the behind the scenes political process, the trail of campaign funding and the new wave of dark money crashing into the November shores; however, every time I wander to the TV, radio, or computer to catch the latest buzz, I’m blasted with Twitter feeds, Facebook comments, and wire service news about current candidates, their past indiscretions, and other items that border on the insane. I pause and cogitated a bit, then fear takes over: Is this the new norm? Has it all become one giant soap opera? I thought I was being topical in my novels discussing super PAC’s, dark money, the NSA, foreign government influence, and legal bribery under Citizens United, but no. I should have written some steamy sex filled novel about closets in the White House. Maybe about FDR’s affairs, JFK’s women, or even LBJ’s staff meetings while he was siting on the can. I believe that’s about where the average voter is at right now.
I hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but total transparency on the political front is a fallacy. And total transparency in the world of diplomacy and international relations is outright dangerous. If we really believe we can find someone in the United States that has lived a perfect life in some box somewhere shielded from anyone’s dissenting opinion, that’s another bubble to burst. I’m not suggesting we harken back to days our great leaders could do whatever they wanted knowing things would be ignored, but what happened to change, acceptance, and recovery? What happened to electing people who may actually be human? There are many with amazing credentials that will never run for public office due to the impossible task of living up to EVERYONE’S expectations. Some of our most honest leaders have been shredded for political and monetary gain by counterparts who, they themselves, have done and said horrible things.
Is the American public so naive as to think people in public office are perfect beings? Robots? That they have risen only on their integrity and charm? I know devout Christian politicians to make passes at the opposite sex. I know lawmakers who have twisted truths, lied and made promises they could never keep just to get elected. When a person can make a fortune splashing headlines, pictures or leading campaigns why wouldn’t they? Should we understand all in the game to be so ethical that no one would stoop to such crap? Radio and TV commentators become wealthy because of their slander and bullshit. Campaign directors and staff make scads of money putting out frothy materials to make you believe anything they say. People enter politics as candidates now because it is lucrative. It has become BIG business. And we’ve allowed it to become reality TV.
Unfortunately because of the apathy in the election process practiced by so many Americans, after so many Americans have perished in an attempt to protect and secure this democracy and republic (meaning they’ve protected your right to be apathetic!), we are left with a population awaiting the next media hype to see who we should vote for – or against – based on no facts at all. We’ve forgotten policy. We’ve forgotten equality, empathy, and a willingness to accept all into our way of life. Damn civil rights. Damn diversity. Let us call each other names and spew venom. Let us watch the TV with bated breath, read Twitter, and follow Facebook to believe whatever comes down the chute must be the truth. Ignore facts. Who cares? At this point in the year, whoever is elected to our highest offices will be the ones we deserve unless we get our heads out of our asses and remember what this country is about. Us.
It is us who have made America’s election process the laughing-stock of the world. Not our President, not our current elected officials, not even our candidates, because they’re only giving us what we want: shallow, ignorant, and subjects void of any reason and rationale. Good luck American’s in 2016. May you rest in peace.