So we’re down to the “semi-finals”…and before Super Tuesday arrives. For having started so early, it’s beginning to look as if this campaign may be winnowed down to two fairly early on. I suppose there’s something to be said for having the field set early on. Each candidate will have an extended period with which to introduce themselves and get their messages out to the American sheeple. The question remains, of course, as to whether Joe Six-pack will pay attention for eight or nine months- or whether groups willing to employ sleazy “Swift Boat” negative advertising will sweep in over the last few weeks and thoroughly poison the dialogue. Hey, it worked in 2004; it would be naive to think that the very same thing (and much worse) couldn’t be visited upon the electorate again.
At this time I’m going to hazard a guess. I may be proven wrong, but I think the general election wll be between Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). That being the case, I think Obama will hand McCain his @$$…not because of any particular failing on McCain’s part (though the man will say ANYTHING to get himself elected), but because after eight years of corrupt, venal Republican demagoguery and fear mongering, I think Americans will be ready for a change. Well, at least those who manage to rouse themselves from their slumber long enough to be propagandized will be.
If it sounds as if I don’t have a lot of faith in the American sheeple, it’s because I frankly don’t. Thus far, nothing has happened that would prove me wrong. Had Americans cared in 2004, if Americans had actually paid attention, 54-plus million wouldn’t have voted for Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader © . Swift Boat Veterans for Truth would have been recognized as an inept comedy troupe instead of being allowed to smear an American war hero. The problem is that Americans by and large DON’T pay attention and they’re easily swayed by propaganda repeated often and with sincere conviction. As I’ve often heard, those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. Welcome to American democracy in the 21st century. Nice work, y’all…
I hate feeling like a pessimist, because I’m really not. I am a realist, however, and after 2000 and 2004, I no longer believe that American elections are free and fair. I also no longer believe that the American sheeple care enough to pay attention. Elections in the 21st century appear in far too many case to be up for bid, and far too often rich, well-connected Conservative Republicans are reaping the benefits. How else do you explain Florida in 2000? Or Ohio in 2004? Representative democracy? Gimmee a break….
No, I don’t expect Indecision 2008 to be either free or fair. I’m interested, though, in seeing how Republicans try to rig the process this time around. It seems as if every four years they come up with something newer and more creative. In 2000, it was the “Brooks Brothers Riot” in Miami that prevented votes from being counted. In 2004, it was voting machines in Ohio. What will it be this time around? Only the GOP Lords of Darkness know for sure.
Stay tuned…and let the skullduggery begin!!
