Wannabe Cowgirl

As I biked out to begin my day yesterday, I saw women with stands standing at an intersection that I was approaching. I would have to wait with them to cross, and I groaned as I rode up, thinking they were pro-life picketers. I don't disagree with those activists, but picketing makes me uncomfortable. How effective can it be? Maybe that makes me a coward. I don't know.

It turned out that last morning's crowd were instead supporters of Hillary Clinton's campaign, urging drivers to "honk for Hillary." Yeah. I thought it was all rather hilarious (pun somewhat intended).

I find politics so over the top, and rather fluffy. (I'm not sure that's the word I'm looking for.) People get so worked up about politics, and seem to take such perverse pleasure and identity from rabid fervor. It's as if, as a nation , we have taken a decent system that actually dealt more or less efficiently with the real business of governing into a popularity campaign pervaded by a lot of wasted breath, wasted money, and a lack of general integrity. The way the whole 2008 campaign comes across to me is of just another form of entertainment. Do we idolize our politicians in the same way as movie stars, musicians, and other celebrities? I think so, and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Is that completely pessimistic of me? I love America and appreciate my citizenship -- but surely we can do better. Right? Or am I just being unrealistic or naive? But I don't mind being naive, if I am -- you can turn that around to say that I'm actually hopeful, that I feel that there's a higher standard that we as a society and a government can aspire to, should be held to, and, most importantly, are capable of meeting.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 10:38 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.