Drinking the Kool-Aid of Hope

Why does anyone ever believe any politician? This is not a rhetorical question at all. After listening to Hillary and Obama compare their phantom healthcare plans, I felt like I was in Alice Through the Looking Glass. What they were both basically saying was, “My imaginary plan that will never be implemented as proposed is better than your imaginary plan. My dreams are bigger than your dreams, and I am better able to avoid political reality in my gifting of empty promises than you.” A hell of a platform.

Of course it isn’t just Hillary and Obama who campaign on hallucinations. The Republicans will protect the nation, cut taxes and balance the budget by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. Has worked great so far. Romney ran so far to the right and away from his own governing record that it is hard to believe that right-thinking (pun intended) conservatives could possibly believe his convenient epiphanies. Willing suspension of disbelief seems to be necessary in politics as well as theater. I understand that movement conservatives don’t like McCain and rightly (no pun intended this time) believe he is not a team player. I just don’t get how they could trust Romney who is the Calder mobile of politics blowing around in the currents of change unanchored by any discernable principles.

Then there is the currently sainted John Edwards who pledged and promised to take it all the way to the convention. This was not simply the accepted lie of all losing candidates, “I feel the tide turning. My crowds have been growing, and something good is in the air.” This is the normal liturgy preceding disaster.

Edwards’ betrayal of trust was more important. From the start, and as late as the end of the Florida election, Edwards promised to run at least through February 5th and Super Tsunami Tuesday. By withdrawing the next day he effectively disenfranchised all the early voters who cast their ballots for him. This is one of the problems with early voting—the voters can miss the tide and the social meme. These early birds were given the bird by Edwards and are now munching on worms.

Yes, I sound cynical and discouraged. Well, I am a bit discouraged by it all. However, I know my enthusiasm will re-emerge shortly, and I’ll once again gladly drink the KoolAid of Hope