As a general rule, I don’t fool with Politics because I think it’s a sham. While I recognize the importance of large structural bodies organized with the intention of some action, the political process, at least as I’ve come to know it in my adult life, is little more than a popularity contest. Ideas matter, but they seem to be viewed through the lenses of charisma, looks, and financial backing. What’s more, to the extent that ideas are exchanged, they tend to be padded in obfuscation, misdirecting innuendo, and sometimes outright lies. I have no patience for politicians who deliberately misrepresent their opponents, or even worse, who are technically accurate with their information, but dispense the information in such a way that it makes it seem that what is ain’t, what wasn’t could’a been, and what could possibly have been under the most obtuse circumstances is most likely. Having said all that, I can’t even lie. Obama’s candidacy has my curiosity piqued.
Now don’t get it twisted, he’s still a politician, so as a matter of function, I suspect his motives even when he says something like ‘grass is green,’ but I am kinda intrigued by the viability of his campaign so far. As many people have noted, he seems to represent somewhat of a break from the old, established political regimes. Not too much of a break, mind you, because he is in the two-party system, but even if he’s really not that different, he seems different. But I guess that all depends on what perspective I’m looking from. If I looked out of Republican lenses, I doubt he’d seem too much different than any of his party mates.
Of course, the bottom line question is, if he gets his party’s nomination, would I vote for him. Honestly, I can’t say that I know yet. Since I think the level of sincerity in politics is about equivalent to that of a game show, I treat them about the same. If somebody Black is on there, I might look with a little more interest for a little longer, but ultimately what’s going on on the screen has a limited impact on my life. Politics is more significant than The Price Is Right, but only rarely is that impact felt directly.
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