SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - Stupid Politician tricks: Uniquely American?

John Channing · 04-06-07, 07:12 PM

The problem is not that they are tying to appease left or right... it that they are trying to appear as "just plain folks".

The problem started with the Kennedy administration and the de-mystifying of the Whitehouse. The advent of television and an out-of control press corps opened up the Whitehouse in a way that the American public had never seen before.

All well and good, but because of this de-mystification people began to believe that anyone could do the job. Ronald Regan did not get elected because he had a firm grasp of policy or any particular vision that resonated with the American people (other than making irresponsible threats against countries that had a different system of Govt.), he got elected because people liked him. He is still fondly refered to as "Uncle Ronnie".

People want to elect some that they think they would like. Instead of electing the smartest guy in class, they vote for the one they like the most, that frat boy. I like my next door neighbour, but I sure as hell don't want him running the country.

So now the world finds it's self in a position where the President of the most powerful country on earth has absolutely no clue where most of the other countries on earth are located, let alone possessing the flexibility of intelect that is required to deal with them in a responsible, intelligent and successful manner. leader who gives everyone childish nicknames (Pootie-Poo anyone) and thinks it is funny to mug for the cameras.

This lack of, let's call it intellectual engagement, also leads him to be manipulated by some genuinely evil people and corporations.

But the American (and Canadian) people still want to elect someone that doesn't make them feel stupid, someone they would invite over for a BBQ and a few beers. So we are subjected to endless parades of nozzleheads, posing in the woods, or at a Basball game, or community BBQ, being "just plain folks".... while the string of stretch limos is idling just off camera to take them back to the private jet to fly them to the next "just plain folks" photo op with, hopefully, a short stopover at the Presidential Suite at the Luxury hotel they are staying in.

Don't blame them...blame yourself. They are just giving you what you want.

JCC

04-06-07, 07:12 PM	#12
John Channing Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 1998 Posts: 1,846 Downloads: 163 Uploads: 5	The problem is not that they are tying to appease left or right... it that they are trying to appear as "just plain folks". The problem started with the Kennedy administration and the de-mystifying of the Whitehouse. The advent of television and an out-of control press corps opened up the Whitehouse in a way that the American public had never seen before. All well and good, but because of this de-mystification people began to believe that anyone could do the job. Ronald Regan did not get elected because he had a firm grasp of policy or any particular vision that resonated with the American people (other than making irresponsible threats against countries that had a different system of Govt.), he got elected because people liked him. He is still fondly refered to as "Uncle Ronnie". People want to elect some that they think they would like. Instead of electing the smartest guy in class, they vote for the one they like the most, that frat boy. I like my next door neighbour, but I sure as hell don't want him running the country. So now the world finds it's self in a position where the President of the most powerful country on earth has absolutely no clue where most of the other countries on earth are located, let alone possessing the flexibility of intelect that is required to deal with them in a responsible, intelligent and successful manner. leader who gives everyone childish nicknames (Pootie-Poo anyone) and thinks it is funny to mug for the cameras. This lack of, let's call it intellectual engagement, also leads him to be manipulated by some genuinely evil people and corporations. But the American (and Canadian) people still want to elect someone that doesn't make them feel stupid, someone they would invite over for a BBQ and a few beers. So we are subjected to endless parades of nozzleheads, posing in the woods, or at a Basball game, or community BBQ, being "just plain folks".... while the string of stretch limos is idling just off camera to take them back to the private jet to fly them to the next "just plain folks" photo op with, hopefully, a short stopover at the Presidential Suite at the Luxury hotel they are staying in. Don't blame them...blame yourself. They are just giving you what you want. JCC Last edited by John Channing; 04-06-07 at 09:59 PM.