Over the past year and a half I have learned a lot about my country. Motivated by the challenge of a friend, "There is nothing you can do." I picked up my feet and tried to do something about it. The bottom line is, I'm not sure that I've been much of a help at all.
No matter how much we do, if what we do isn't the right thing, what good is it. Trying is admirable, but is it effective? But, finding "the right thing to do" is difficult. We fall back on the 'old ways' and hope that they still work. Here is my take on what works today.
My take on American politics is that we are a "Messiah" based public. Americans crave a "Messiah" figure who will 'save the world.' This has been taught to us in all religions. The idea of leadership isn't a democracy it is the idea of a monarchy, one of 'Divine Choice", the promised one to lead us out of the darkness.
The number one factor in American political success is the video screen. The more you are on video, whether it be in film, tv, or social media, the more people think they know you. Today's celebrities are people who perform well on a screen and everyone thinks they know that person personally. The familiarity of the person to the general public is the number one factor of their influence.
So, this election is about that. It is about choosing a future because of how many videos a candidate has out in the public and what kind of messaging is used to sway voters. What is decided in this election will determine the future of America and thus the future of the world. What is the number one factor in this decision, "Airtime". How do you get it? Make news by being controversial, or buy it. Mostly, it is to buy it. Our future is based on these two factors.
If this election goes one way, it will preserve enough of our national stature to make it to the Election of 2028. If it goes the other, there may not be an Election of 2028. If that happens, the consequences will be felt all around the world, but mostly it will be felt right here at home.
I grew up in a society where the government pretty much functioned as it should. People just doing their job and preserving the idea that the government shouldn't interfere in our private lives so we can live life on our terms. Yes, there was always some political differences, but never away from the founding principles of our nations constitution. Today, that very foundation is being shaken. Half of the government is already operating as a defacto authoritarian regime. Either you are 'one of them' or you are 'executed'. It could mean the end of NATO, the Free Trade agreements, and the freedom to travel as we have the world over because the dollar and the worldwide acceptance of the American passport. We have come to think all of that is a given. They are not. We may experience the end of freedom the world over.
If this election goes the wrong way, that is my prediction. I hope it does not happen. If it does, I hope I'm wrong.
But, back to the strategy of winning elections. It is all about the general public 'knowing you.' If they know you, then everyone has a topic they can talk about as if they have a common friend or family member. The smart campaign is built on years of being in front of the camera, talking about whatever, making news, and giving people the chance to see you. Above all, this is what the Orangeman has been. A television entertainer.
To be able to get that much exposure and to love being on camera, regardless of reason, takes an abnormal level of narcissism. You'd have to love it. He does. And so does his cult.
We shall see what the ramifications of this election will have on our country and the world. It could either be the Beginning of a New Era of the American Constitution or mark the end of it.