I had just sat down at my favorite morning eatery ready for another California day when two of the local early risers got my attention with some feisty political banter.
Aware of what they were saying, I was more concerned with not angering Monica with my indecisiveness when I was knocked about the head with a right-wing jab. “Liberal politics are derived from emotion,” boasted the familiar voice, rising to a crescendo to accent his point.
“You are right!” said his Scandinavian accented cohort, shaking his head in agreement, the. “They know no other way to argue.”
Hearing this, I quickly bolted over to the newspaper area, which was directly in the firing line. Without thinking, I jumped directly into the conversation. “You know that kind of thinking is absolutely out of the Dark Ages,” I told them.
Babbling on, preventing any interruptions, I continued on my soap box until I realized that I was at risk of exposure. I quickly ended my rant by saying, “Aren’t there liberal think tanks?” Feeling smarter than I actually am, I soon realized that I was ill equipped to argue. Retreat!
Yesterday’s Player in Today’s Game
Can a full-on right-wing social conservative get elected in 2008?
Would an aged Ronald Reagan have a chance?
Could Jimmy Carter overcome the malaise and not have fallen prey to the limelight and its merciless illumination of every flaw?
With so many more media outlets and polls fiercely competing in the marketplace, it would be foolish for a candidate not to have a staff devoted just to the delivery and imagery of the message. The constant scrutiny demands an attention to detail that would have been considered aloof or frivolous in the not-so-distant past.
Like flour being kneaded into dough. America, with all of its glory, is a juggernaut that only slowly accepts change. The term “liberal” in describing a person’s politics has morphed due to the new reality of the American fabric. Clinched fists and “leave my body alone” were (are) non-issues for the Clinton, W. Bush and freshman voters.
When I hear the word “conservative,” immediately Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America” comes to mind. Idealistic hot air intended to shame the incumbent and keep the “we got control/hurry up, 2000” Republican agenda in a continuum, instead of solidifying an American role in a post-genocide Africa and a struggling Eastern Europe with a domestically centered Kremlin.
Given the circumstances, Mr. Clinton’s current refrains, “I have atoned for my indifference” and “I should have done more on my watch,” would not then form such a sad song when revisiting his term as the “Sheriff” of the world.
Forgive my words, Mr. Clinton straddled the middle better than anyone since John Kennedy. He proved it is practical as a politician to find your way to the center and even pander in some cases (W. Bush, H. Clinton and the Latino vote) to get elected.
What About Bob?
Is there really an ironclad, distinguishable ideology in today’s politics? What is the criteria that determines one’s political slant?
If you were to make your political decisions based upon what is ultimately best for your family, and then the world you live in, would your best interests outweigh your sentiment?
I posed the question about liberals and emotion to a man of more than modest means.
“Seventy percent,” he quickly replied. He went on to talk about what his friends of color think the majority in America will do when they go behind the curtain to make the big decision for President one month from tomorrow.
Why Taxes Aren’t the Answer
He was most specific when it came to his opposition of a certain candidate’s tax redistribution plan. “It does not make much sense,” he said with a hint of disgust.
Not being versed in tax laws. I listened carefully as he explained what he has to plan for and what fears he has. At 58 years old, he would be at risk of having his few remaining working years become less lucrative.
“Taxing a way out of a problem has never worked,” he said. “there need to be more jobs.”
I never imagined how he could ever be affected by anything other than a bad read. I had a moment of empathy for his plight.
All of us would like to keep what we earn, no matter how great or measly the sum.
Too much government!
I guess he is in the 30 percentile.
I Second That Emotion
When re-calling my outburst earlier in the week, I realized that I was wrong to defend something without really thinking it through. So I thought of two decisions in my lifetime when a President used too much emotion or sorely lacked emotion when it was needed.
First there was the Iran hostage rescue attempt near the end of the Carter Years, and then the spectacularly missed opportunity presented by Hurricane Katrina from the W. Bush Years.
If the emotion that was so abundant in one had been even traceable in the other, the legacies of these two oddball Presidents would not have been so sadly similar.
No matter what you call yourself politically, you have to have an equal balance of heart and mind when making a case for your politics.
Or you might end up looking like a fool so early in the morning.
Monica, I will have the usual.
Mr. Robinson is a Culver City resident.
