Voters Are Not Ratings

Some number of years ago I noticed that politicians are acting more and more like yellow-bellied cowards. Case in point, "the major policy speech."

Why is it that whenever an important speech will be delivered the speech's outline, key points, and substantial extracts are presented to the American public before the speech? And why do newspapers "report" these details of the speech with the same dull analysis, "The president's job tonight will be to convince the American people [fill in the blank]."

"that he's serious."

"that he's a credible leader."

"that he's firm on his resolve."

It's as if the substance of a major speech, like a speech about sending tens of thousands more American soldiers to war, isn't the point. It's as if what the people of America want is to be jolted out of a non-thinking, non-participating stupor. And, once awake, the role of the voter is to push one of two buzzers: "Sounds Good" or "I'm Suspicious, But It Doesn't Really Matter" and then get back to watching The Office.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of being treated like a rating. I'm a voting citizen who feels damn sure he's going to start holding his representatives' feet to the fire.

Comments

[Melanie]

Amen and amen!