Posted by
Sam Heath on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:52:47 PM
Instead of an election, let’s have an auction. The winning candidate will be the one commanding the highest price: “Sold to the highest bidder!” Those with a penchant for favoring reality knowing politicians are bought and paid for and elections are at best a sham will say an auction is what politics consists of anyway. But in the case of the present crop running for President there is a mitigating factor to consider: It is the “Elizabeth Factor.”
In “Paint Your Wagon” Elizabeth consents to be auctioned off, and her Mormon husband cautions her, “But Elizabeth, you don’t know what you’ll be getting.” To which she replies, “No, but I know what I’ve had.” And there it is; the Elizabeth Factor: No more Bush’s or Clinton’s. When people enter the polls to vote, many of them are going to vote the Elizabeth Factor. Enough to make a difference; sorry, my crystal ball remains cloudy on that.
I’m given to my grandad’s method of voting: “If they’re in, get ‘em out.” Granted I throw away my vote more often than not on that basis, and I realize “none of the above” being my preference does not win elections. But I take what solace I can find in at least being able to say I did not vote for either the greater or lesser of evils. So why vote? Because so many good people literally gave their lives in order for me to exercise this precious right, this duty and obligation as an American.
However, it wouldn’t do to ignore the fact there are those that vote the “Entitlement Factor,” those that have been promised their “forty acres and a mule” and not only do not plan on earning their keep, but will vote themselves unearned bread at every opportunity. And what with a government intent on auctioning off America to the highest bidder and making slaves of all Americans it seems to matter little who wins elections, they are all on the Devil’s payroll.
It is easier for me to imagine Bill Clinton sitting on the veranda of his plantation mansion puffing a cigar and sipping a mint julep, in the business of “whoppin’ slaves and sellin’ cotton” than George Bush. But Bush fits the image of dealing the same way with his Mexican slaves. And Ms. Clinton in a suit with her smirk, sneer, cackle, and shrill voice attempting to be “man enough” gives anyone hives. It is not difficult to imagine her on the plantation in leathers snapping a whip.
As the candidates promise, posture, and pose for the cameras, all exude the intense desire to be our new White House “Massa.” I was very disappointed by James Mason taking that role in “Mandingo,” but it did make me suspect what his real character has been all along. We hear about various people being a “closet” this or that, but was Mason really a closet “Massa?” Well, if Henry Fonda could play the role of such a murderous villain in “Once Upon A Time In The West” this only proves some actors want to give vent to subterranean thoughts contrary to social conventions; and sometimes they want to prove they can stretch their artistic reach but there are times when this can come back to bite them. And there are certain proprieties to be observed if one is to be taken seriously in their avowed roles, and nowhere is this as important as it is in politics where perception is everything. Whether Hollywood or politics, the demand for being believable in the role is of paramount importance.
So, as we ponder the track record of the present crop of contenders for President, as we watch and listen to them say nothing of substance knowing politicians lie to get elected and continue lying to stay elected, which of them is convincing in the role they are playing on stage? It’s as though We the People know we are only watching actors on a stage, but we want someone who is at least convincing in the role. In some way, this is much like the betrayed husband or wife that wants their lover and companion back exclaiming, “Please lie to me; I’ll believe you! I don’t want to hear the truth I only want you back!” Have we come to such a disastrous position in our history that proves Jack Nicholson’s “You can’t handle the truth!” Folks, if it has really come to this America is worse off than anyone imagines.