Friday 13

I've never been a superstitious person. If you have been reading this blog for a while you know I tend not to believe in things for which there is no hard evidence. I've been that way every since they told me there was no Santa Claus. I had seen Santa Claus. Well fool me once and all that.

Witch Doctors (and Md's) find that their magic has no affect on those that don't believe in it. Politicians are beginning to run into the same problem, their spells aren't working because no one believes any more. There was a time when an office seeker would stand up in front of a wide eyed partisan audience and recite the sacred Mumbo-Jumbo. "Lower Taxes", "Higher Wages", "Better Schools", "Safer Streets", "Honor, Truth, Justice", "Amer-Patiro-God-ApplePi-icanism". The people would listen enthralled and then rush out to vote in great numbers, roboticly checking the party-line boxes, secure in the knowledge that their homes and checkbooks would be safe for another four years.

That was back when we were innocent, the private lives of politicians were private and everyone knew who the enemy was. TV was back and white because we wanted it that way. Years of anti-communist cold war propaganda had destroyed the ability of our cerebral cortexes to perceive color or grasp logical concepts related to international political realities. Life was simple. Dad worked nine to five and smoked Pall Malls, mom made cookies and sewed Easter dresses for the girls. Every free citizen of the United States felt it was his duty and his God given right to vote.

Now days thirty-five percent turn out on election day is considered "good". When half the people vote it is not because the populace has been inspired by fiery speeches delivered by popular and charismatic candidates. It is because of some issue of vital national importance is on the ballot. Like same sex marriage or the right to bare arms and midriffs. We no longer vote for the man who is going to make our lives match our expectations. We vote for the man (or woman) who will do the least damage. We vote against the least ungodly candidate. In the next election many voters will opt for the candidate who has been married the fewest times.

I miss Leave It To Beaver.

Owl

April, 13 2007