Family Guy

Family Guy

I recently saw an episode of Family Guy. The cartoon, I think, demonstrated the sad state of politics in the USA. Lois is elected Mayor of the town of Quahog by dumbing-down every issue the town faces; this to match her opponent's skill in lowering the bar in discourse.

In Lois' campaign, she offers quick-fix solutions. The answer to every question is a sound-bite. The undecided voters, (described as either idiots or apathetic), are enthusiastic in receiving her answers.

Lois' campaign approach, combined with some chicanery on the part of her family and friends, bring her to power. (See the show for the resolution).

Here we have described the stampeding herd that must be tamed with something short of the truth. The herd has no appreciation for the truth. Nor does it have the desire to gain an appreciation.

A large group wishing to follow each other and stick together for the sake of survival without regard to the destination they are bringing themselves to is a dangerous model for governing a country as vast and powerful as the USA.

I would suggest a different approach.

I have heard it said that the government cannot "run" anything. I would disagree.

It is much easier to make something NOT work, than to make it work.

Especially if your agenda requires that it not work.

If you accept a sound-bite in place of careful reason, it will NOT work.

It isn't working.

Rick Warren

Much controversy ensued when it was announced that Rick Warren was to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration ceremony. It my opinion, pandering to the Religious Right is necessary to ensure Obama's reelection in 2012. Obama won with an electoral landslide. He did not win, unfortunately, with a popular-vote landslide.

I would like to point out that I received an official invitation to Obama's inauguration. I worked very hard volunteering for the Obama campaign.

I am simply pointing out a sad fact of American Politics.

Pandering is necessary.