Ironically, whenever New Years Eve cometh, one always tends to look back. In looking back you, tend to compare one situation against a similar one. So, not surprisingly, I was pondering elections. Specifically, how they are won and what goes into the American public attitude regarding who they want as their new Commander in Chief.
I thought back through years of dreamy,(and sometimes dreary) presidential-election memories. I thought about all the surprises that occurred during my lifetime. How people came onto the national stage as a long-shot only to end up sitting in the White House exchanging high-fives with the ones who brought them...or possibly even dancing with said ones.
Ironically, whenever New Years Eve cometh, one always tends to look back. In looking back you tend to compare one situation against another one. So, not surprisingly, I was pondering elections. Specifically, how they are won and what goes into the American public attitude regarding who they want as their new Commander in Chief.
I thought back through years of dreamy,(and sometimes dreary) presidential-election memories. I thought about all the surprises that occurred during my lifetime. How people came onto the national stage as a long-shot only to end up sitting in the White House exchanging high-fives with the ones who brought them...or possibly even dancing with said ones.
I remembered a president who, looking back, seemed like a strong leader. One who you could trust. One who, when he did have to intervene regarding foreign policy, seemed to have a plan to make sure it all worked out for the best. "A uniter, not a divider" in his, or one of his surrogates, words.
Then, as usual, my mind wandered to the contrasting vision. A president who, after failing to administer our foreign policy with anything close approaching an actual vision, had a very different fate at the hands of the American voters. Not only were there potentially several events during his first four years that people, (chatting and living classes included) could point to as examples of a lack of leadership qualities, but even more than that: He came across as really stupid, even though he still seems like "a fun guy to have a beer with"...I mean,come on, he would obviously win the shoe-ducking contest!
Yet the first president mentioned lost his re-election bid for a second term while the second one, who honestly had taken us all on a ride that Mr. Toad would be proud of, won his re-election bid. Searching through the tea leaves of disenfranchised (and then re-enfranchised) voters shattered/cemented hopes and dreams I wondered: What does this all mean!
Well, friends, I think it means that Barack better watch his incredibly smart booty, even though I am sure he has a better chance then George Sr. I mean think about it: The first Bush really didn't do that many things wrong, and got knocked out by the awesomely personable Bill Clinton. Meanwhile, his prodigy acts like the worlds biggest daddy issue bully and he gets re-elected.
If this says anything about the state of the union, it is that America still is a popularity contest and people will like the guy they want to have a beer with. My hope, as we reflect, let go, move on, and progress into the next year, is that we have finally elected someone with whom policy will be judged on its merits and not its ability to be spun to the American public. A year when we will think about the benefits of sacrifice, as opposed to just the sacrifice part (which no one likes to think about). And finally, a year when we all understand that moving ahead when we [Americans] are well over 300 million strong, and nearing 6 billion strong on the planet, means that we need to focus on humanity's existence now more than ever through a long-term and dignified lens.
Have a happy New Year and Peace be with you,
Marshall Getto