The
US convention season is with us again and once again I shake my head at its format.
It seems that in order to attract viewership it is necessary to dumb everything
down to the level of extreme pizzazz and show biz superficiality. As is
everything else in America, money -lots of it, seems to be the main criteria,
without which there is no chance of success. The acquisition of this commodity
–lots of it is, under the present system the prime requirement for aspiring Presidents.
Both major parties receive major support from large corporations and in so
doing surrender themselves up to their mercies. It even seems acceptable for
corporate backers to sponsor both sides to hedge their bets. The expression “Bulging
Coffers” has been used to define the party’s financial situation. Why should
this be such a pivotal factor? On an individual level, how does Mitt Romney’s personal
acquisition of wealth (-greed?) inspire a nation or indeed be considered to be an
attribute of good leadership? On the contrary, it could be argued that
those who have spent their lives compiling fortunes are more likely to be self
serving and more interested in “turning a buck” than on providing good
governance. Moreover, such “successful” individuals might find it difficult
empathize with those less fortunate. Looking back into recent global history it
seems that the most inspiring leaders have by comparison been devoid of wealth
or any inclination or the wherewithal to acquire it. Gandhi, Mandela and Aung San
Suu Kyi prevailed but only after surviving adversity and perilous circumstances.
The current Republic
convention, occurring during storm “Isaac” has solicited minimal acknowledgement
of this catastrophe (-to my ears anyway). Not to be outdone, President Obama continues
to conduct electoral business in Virginia. As of writing, neither contestant has yet made a
significant effort to tour the afflicted areas, many of which are home to the
less privileged demographic, to offer personal sympathy and support. Some leadership!.
TV news reports have
sandwiched harrowing accounts from distraught victims in the storm centre
between updates from the Convention Hall, the latter filled with sleek,
well-nourished, grinning, self-congratulatory delegates, high-fiving, bouncing
up and down like clapping jack-in-the-boxes at each pithy one-liner emanating
from the podium. I find the stark contrast between these extremes most
disturbing..
And then, just when it seemed that things would conclude in their
predictable fashion, old Clint came moseying down the aisle -and with a
rambling, barely-coherent unscripted presentation with less than pithy
one-liners, virtually high jacked the proceedings. Someone attempted to excuse
him on the grounds that he is merely a fiscal and not a full blooded social conservative –duh! Could he also possibly be -dare I say
it –an Atheist?
Next we have the Democratic
Convention to look forward to with no doubt much of the same fare. How or for
what reason did it all evolve into to this ridiculous “Dog and Pony” show? With
apologies to the Creationists I don’t think that even Darwin could have possibly predicted it.
