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Sept. 7, 2008 Even though I swore that I would not watch the
political conventions I am doing so...avidly. I suppose it's because I have
grown up watching them and they intrigue me in some way.
The conventions of old were mostly unscripted and
therefore full of unplanned and sometimes really mind-blowing surprises. One
never knew if a Jesse Jackson would stand up and derail the presumptive nominee
and the party platform or if demonstrators outside the grand halls would rise up
and cause major havoc.
The media used to cover the conventions pretty
evenly but that has changed as well. It appears that the Democrats are getting a
bump from many of the major news channels (the ONLY favorable bump that can
be seen, by the way).
Last night I was moved by Senator Kennedy's
appearance and great courage under fire but I was left feeling like Michelle
Obama was simply doing a cute photo-op with her very cute children. The content
of her speech did not fill in many of the blanks that I see as being an
issue when deciding on exactly who Barrack Obama really is. She failed to
mention the ivy league schools that she and her husband graduated from which I
suspect was because those schools are associated with what many of us see as the
"Elite" among us.
Of all the things I might hold against Senator
Obama I certainly wouldn't fault him for working hard to graduate
from Harvard with a law degree. That is admirable in my opinion and nothing to
gloss over.
I read a couple of the books about Obama and when I
was finished I felt that I knew him less then when I started. I simply can't
relate to him and his history. I DO NOT see it as even close to the middle class
upbringing that I experienced. I also do not see it as it relates to my current
living conditions. I can say the same thing about John McCain which is why I am
feeling as if I don't have a good choice of who to vote for in the upcoming
election.
I certainly did not relate to Hillary Clinton and
Joe Biden annoys me to no end. I have watched him many times over the years
during confirmation hearings and he has appeared to be a man who just won't shut
up. He seems to love the sound of his own voice and rambles on and on and when
he asks someone a question he answers it himself.
As for McCain's choices....who cares. None of them
impress me either.
Getting back to the VERY scripted Hollywood
production that has become the standard bearer for modern political conventions,
the one currently going on in Denver ranks right along-side some of the finest
special effects movies on the screens at our local movie theaters. Flashing
lights, loud music, media CGI that's something out of "Close Encounters Of The
Third Kind" abound.
I expect the Republican convention to follow suit
and I expect to be dazzled by the brightness and the rousing speeches and
frankly...the BS that emanates from all of them.
I somehow feel that these political pundits believe
(and probably rightly so), that we, in the audience; the newly anointed
"Lunch-box" set will stand up from our comfy recliners and cheer when everyone
on the convention floor does so. That we are making our own banners and signs
and waving them frantically as each speaker riles up the crowd. I also somehow
feel that they believe that we will be influenced by what they are trying to
convince us is substance.
I see NO substance. I see no meaningful solutions
to some of our problems. I hear a lot of rhetoric and a lot of promises and
empty words that will fade into the ozone once one of the two nominees is
elected.
We won't have sudden health insurance coverage that
doesn't cost an arm, a leg and a soul. We won't suddenly see peace in the Middle
East or in Russia or anywhere else because I honestly don't think that anyone
has real solutions to the crises going on all over the world.
Wouldn't it be refreshing if someone actually stood
up before the American people and told the absolute truth? Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone said, "I don't have all of the
answers but I will look for them with you in my mind and heart and I will commit
myself to finding them."
I am tired of the "eight point plans" and the
platforms that don't work in the real world and the solutions that punish one
group to supposedly save another?
So, for now, I will watch the festivities keeping
in mind that I am really only watching a splendid, scripted Hollywood
production. I will go back to worrying about how I will pay for my groceries and
when my prescription limits will be reached and if I will be blown off the face
of the earth by some rogue (or not so rogue) nation with a stick up it's ass.
Strike up the band! Wave that flag! Hurray for
Hollywood!! At least I don't have to pay for parking and popcorn.
------------ About the author: Meri has a Medical/Legal background and is a former forensic researcher specializing in psychological profiling. Visit the Xlibris Bookstore! Email: writers2@cox.net Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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