Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Fundamentals Of Our Country's Ideology Will Change

At this point in the election, probably the most shape-shifting since Hoover/FDR, there is obviously a significant difference in the American public’s perception of where are country is presently, and where it should be going. On the big issues, both Senators Obama and McCain agree on the main issue: We need change and we need it fast.

The hit new reality show “Politics 101” is playing in every bedroom to high ratings. Apparently information not only sells, but it’s something the public really wants to buy. Whoever is elected, they’ll be subject to intense, continual scrutiny. It’s highly unlikely we’ll go back to OJ’s trial tribulations after this election is over. This change will be permanent, whether Flavor Flav likes it or not. Honestly, I bet he doesn’t care. Or maybe he just doesn’t know.

It as an almost assured guarantee America will stop importing oil from the middle east and develop energy alternatives produced in our own country. I don’t see anyone spewing rhetoric of “our friends in Saudi Arabia” or any lobbysist-centered garbage from the presidential ticket all the way down to residential. Outcome: something’s going to happen. Not because politicians proposed it, but because the American people willed it.


Laissez faire economics will end. Permanently. I know this is a high school test question but the fundamental failures of its concept remain strong. Throughout the history of the world, the continual result has always been short term prosperity followed by long term consequences. In other words: 2+2 =4, but 4 – 6 = -2. If you don’t understand this, please return to 7th grade; do not pass GO and you definitely don’t collect $200 dollars.

America’s expectations of our politicians is permanently raised. No longer will there be uncharismatic stick figures such as John Kerry, Bob Dole, Michael Dukakis and George H.W. Bush. The American (if not the world) audience demands that our leaders be stars! Politicians will expected to be accessible, quotable and even entertaining. This shift will eventually “trickle-down” to the state and local levels, forcing those who bought elections with signs and ads in the local papers to face off against people posting daily positions on their website or Youtube. To quote Rob Van Dam, they have to be “the whole F’n show”.

We are also witnessing a permanent downgrading of previous “game-changing” issues like gun control, Roe v. Wade and the war on drugs. Evidently, the sole aspect of laissez faire that works is the social application. If economics are not a prevailing influence, (i.e. “what’s in it for me?!”), our society tends to regulate its own great self. These issues were never wars, but about personal decisions. The modern world has enabled us to understand and sympathize with one another in ways which could never be thought of 10 tears ago.

Bob Dylan stated it perfectly 40 or so years ago, as he saw a world evolving quicker than people perceived it. It is this quote I end with: not a statement, but a call to arms for citizenship:

If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Peace out!

AK

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