This is something I vowed not to do since I don’t want to get half of my readers circulating a petition for my removal and the other half posting on Facebook that I really could have come out more strongly in favor of what’s-her/what’s-his-name and where was my party loyalty, anyway? But, I think the time has come for me to stand up and be counted.
Oh, wait, that’s not until November, is it? Oh, whew! I have a reprieve.
Anyway, I was thinking about our founding fathers and how bewildered they must be if they are somehow observing the American eccentricities that go along with the electing of today’s leaders. I’m not talking about the actual voting, counting, electing. I’m talking about all the foolishness that goes along with it.
I mean, can you actually see Benjamin Franklin drinking his morning brew out of a mug with Jesse Ventura’s face on it? Or a bunch of “Re-elect Kaine” signs stuck into the lawn at Mt. Vernon? Oh, say, can you see Thomas Jefferson attending a political rally in his best “partisan” T-shirt because he wanted to affirm that he and his chosen candidate were on the same page?
Then going home with a sore throat from yelling and the beginnings of a black eye because a guy from the “other side” punched him. And still not knowing any more than he did before he went, about where his candidate stood on the issues that he thought important because there was too much heckling, ranting and protesting going on. Foolishness, yes, but frightening enough to keep me up at night.
I started this column about two months ago in response to a Facebook post by a friend. In essence, he was quoting a person who suggested that the reason the average American isn’t super knowledgeable about our government and politics in general is that we avoid talking about those subjects.
My reaction at the time, was, “Dang straight we don’t and for a very good reason!” Then, I put it away because I realized that “talking politics” is actually an oxymoron because you can’t do it. Really, you can’t.
Even back in the day when the two sides either 1. Tolerated each other, or 2. Ignored each other, you couldn’t really have a sensible discussion. With politics and also religion, you are not chatting about a casual subject, you are trying to convince the person you are talking to, that they should wake up and start thinking the way you do.
You may not realize that’s what you are doing or you may be all too aware of it and it was your purpose in the first place, but that’s what you are doing. Then the other person answers back with their opinion, at just a few decibels higher, yatta, yatta, yatta! and pretty soon the dog slinks out of the room because there’s too much yelling and he thinks it’s his fault.
Meanwhile, you both are stunned at the level of ignorance the other person is displaying. How can they be so gullible when you always thought they were so smart? They can’t really believe what they are saying, can they? Yes. Yes, they can.
Either we have come a long way, or we have descended into the depths of chaos, depending on your view of today’s political cycle. It also depends on which newscast you listen to. I’m afraid our news programs have become pretty unrecognizable from the days of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow, who gave us the news and just the news.
It’s more entertainment, with pseudo-celebrities, targeting a specific audience and telling them what they want to hear, which only leads both sides to believe they’ve got it right because they heard it on their television or computer and the “powers-that-be” would never put an “un-truth” on their network, now would they? They would never do that, no way! They would? You shock me!
I have pretty much been a Pollyanna, Little Mary Sunshine, “The sun will come out tomorrow” person for most of my life, but I have to tell you I’m not seeing a good way out of all this. Has anyone seen my missing “half-full glass?” Here’s my only suggestion and it’s a “doozy.” Ready?
No campaigning. None. No rallies, no TV ads, no “in-depth” interviews, no soapboxes or primetime debates. No T-shirts or hats, no political buttons or yard signs. And no polls!
Instead, each candidate has to write a short essay on their vision, their plans and their beliefs. No ghostwriters, no help from their kids, no political parties, no endorsements. Every registered voter gets a copy and they decide on who they are going to vote for, based on these personal writings. And then, everybody votes. And the one with the most votes wins. Period. No grumbling, whining or attitude allowed.
So, what do you think? Yeah, totally unrealistic, I know. But, wouldn’t it be so refreshing? I felt much better for a few minutes, there. Maybe you did, too.
Claudia Myers is retired from costume design and construction for The Baltimore Opera and the Minnesota Ballet. She is a national award-winning quilter, author and local antique dealer, specializing in Persian rugs. Her book, “The Storyteller,” is available at claudiamyersdesigns.com and at Father Time Antiques in Duluth’s Canal Park.