Your behavior appears to be a little unusual. Please verify that you are not a bot.


The hating season

August 1, 2004 By    

With apologies to Rick Roldan and all those who thrive in the manipulative,
scheming world that is our nation’s capital, I hate politics.

Democrats and Republicans alike, you can have the whole conniving lot. I don’t believe a word any of them says about anything. If they assured me that the grass is green and sky blue, I’d first have to go outside to check for myself.

I hate the two-party system. Every four years, it’s like standing in the frozen
food aisle and choosing between the beef and chicken boxed entrees. Just once I’d like a creative, home-cooked meal prepared with fresh food.

I hate the prattle that comes with the incessant, mind-numbing image campaigns of both parties. Democrats are all soft, cowering liberals who want to raise my taxes and give handouts to every worthless slacker who wants them. Republicans are all fascist nut jobs who want to rule rather than govern. “Our” side vs. “their” side.

I hate the fact that the nation’s most important business (a national energy
policy, for instance) comes to a screeching halt as the campaign heats up. That way, neither side can claim credit – or be assessed blame – for legislation
that some group of Americans (read: voters) is bound to love or hate. Way too much political turf at stake to leave that to chance.

I hate the game playing: Power plays, back scratching, character assassination and back-room brokering. Filibusters to prevent “the other side of the aisle” from getting a leg up.

I hate being forced to choose between a healthy environment and job growth,
affordable health insurance and budget deficits, or my right to privacy and
national security.

I hate image over substance. Add enough spin to your press release and nobody will ever know the difference. Ditto photo shoots of smiling candidates shaking hands with anyone who can represent the common folk.

I hate – but understand – the fact that our industry leaders have to play Beltway games in order to be heard over the din of the better connected and better financed interest groups. More money into the campaign troughs of elected officials who are likely to see things our way and to thank those who voted our way. Spending $1 million for a one-year awareness campaign to get the ear of Washington’s elite.

I hate being told I’m a cynical idealist who just can’t appreciate how things
get done in the real world.

Three more long, painful months until the election is over. I hate it.

This article is tagged with , , , and posted in Current Issue

Comments are currently closed.