For some time I have occasionally written about trying to live a stress-free life. Reading 'feel good' books and watching 'feel-good' movies has been helpful. However, as I note their template, these often run to hero meets heroine, they dislike each other and spend most of their time misunderstanding one another. At the tale end of the book/movie, the writers give us a few paragraphs of their finally seeing the light, the truth, and their amazing love for one another. They leave us in the last sentence with the impression that they will live happily ever after though they have certainly not managed much happiness until now. The reader often struggles to understand what happened between them that will allow that prediction to happen but is often too pleased by the resolution to take it further in speculation.
The McCain/Palin campaign reminds me of these stories. There is a broad assumption that, if we vote the two of them in, they will live and reign happily ever after. But Prince Charming likely had the same distasteful odors when relieving himself as McCain does when he makes his promises of change. If he was capable of effecting the kind of change we have needed for the past 8 years, why hasn't he mentioned it, instead of voting with Bush 90% of the time. His promises, even now, give no indication as to what will become of the country other than the same degradation of the lives of America's citizen's, with a continuation of all the failed policies of the past two terms of this Administration.
A second assumption is that McCain will live to serve out a four year term. I'm not sure where he, as a 72 year old having suffered four bouts with cancer, appears on the insurance actuarial tables but I do know that a third of VPs have gone on to be President while serving their own term as Vice President. Governor Palin, who governs fewer than people in the state of Rhode Island, and who was mayor of a town of slightly over 5000 when she was in office, seems to be as unsure of herself as one might believe Cinderella may have been when suddenly finding herself a Princess after knowing little other than being servant to her wicked step-sisters. One might think that Cinderella might have been shrewd enough to listen and learn before she jumped into all the demands of royal court as the Princess before she became Queen. Governor Palin seems to think she needs no tutelage for the move to the top responsibility, call for experience in governing globally, and with a finger on the red button. She has the effrontery to believe that she will win over Senator Clinton's voters. Such colossal hubris simply bears to mind the saying, "Ignorance is bliss." No wonder she can smile and seem to sincerely believe they are somehow equals. Instead of Hillary Clinton, Palin comes across as Caribou Barbie with John McCain as her Ken (or is it G.I. Joe?) They are playing at living in the real world and seem not to notice that people are not as easily fooled as they are insulted when they are the recipients of so many untruths and promises that do not fit their ideologies.
Like the books, we wait until the last paragraph to find out just what will happen to Prince Charming and Cinderella, who unfortunately will not leave our land for a distant one. If it is McCain and Palin, they will remain in the USA and practice their governing on a country already dying. Their political medicine is totally inadequate to save it. However, if Obama and Biden, who have already finished their residency and have a great deal of experience behind them for 'fixing' sick systems prevail, the USA might survive. It will feel like spooning the ocean with a teaspoon, but will take Herculean skill. As with Hercules, it will take thinking out of the box. Hercules rerouted rivers to clean out the Augean stables in a day. (Augeus reneged on his promise to give him one tenth of the cattle if he succeeded, so Hercules killed him and put in Augeas's son as king. There the metaphor slips away from the current Administrative task but matches its challenge.)
3 comments:
An interesting Blog article. Except for the last part, the reference to Perseus. Perhaps your statements arose from references in Wickipedia, an unverified source.
According to the copyright material in Perseus library at Tufts, Augeas was not killed, and Perseus was not paid.
Correction to earlier comment.
... Augeas was not killed. Hercules was not paid. His Labors were punishment for killing his family. He was not permitted to be paid for his Labors.
Thanks for the correction, AW. I need to read up on my mythology, especially if I am quoting inaccurately!!
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