Christmas Reflection

I don't know what it is about this season that makes me feel like a child, and like a child I have this compulsion that I want to write a letter to Santa in the hopes that there is a possibility that my wish will be granted. I must admit I thought I would never ask for what I desperately want this year. Sure, it is a long shot but isn't that what wishing is all about.
This year I want to see conservatives take back their party from the nuts who have swooped down from the clouds and shanghaied it. I can't believe that there isn't a single intelligent conservative who will step forward and take the reigns of their runaway train. It is unfathomable how the current collection of candidates vying for the nomination got the gumption to put their name in the running. To witness this charade of the political system is to witness the outright absurdity of the times we live in.
Of course, there is a reason for it. That recent survey that showed that Fox News listeners were less informed than those who don't read or listen to any news at all is the root cause. To be honest, though, the American electorate has never displayed much brilliance or intelligence when it comes to electing their presidents. I recall a lecture way back when in Poly Sc 101 and the prof discussing the result of a political survey of registered and conscientious voters in the fifties that showed the only reason given for voting for candidate Eisenhower was “I like Ike cause Ike is easy to Like.” Jackson Browne observed that we elect our leaders like we buy our soap. Given all that, it is still hard to comprehend how these current contenders could possibly think that they can be president. I believe much of this foolish masquerading as intelligent discourse can be traced back to the current crop of conservative political pundits who spew equal measure of venom and nonsense to the minions who tune in and believe them. The legitimate TV press (which I admit is an oxymoron) lends credence to this craziness by giving credibility to these fools by holding debates and interviewing crazy people as if they were sane. Like, did anyone ask Perry how he got so stupid or was he always dumb. And how about it Ms. Bachman did god really want you to run for elected office. And Rick Santorum do you really equate gay intimacy as bestiality. And Mister Cain how do you equate running a pizza company and philandering to the presidency. As for the Newt, we need only list his questionable ethics on a personal and governmental basis. Of course, Mitt should be asked why he is willing to compromise every principle to get votes. Perhaps a quote from the Bible might be a good lead in. Doesn't the scripture go something like what does a man prosper . . . You get the point.
Yes, with the “fair and balance” reporting of Fox and the minions who couldn't bear the idea that America, the land of the free, could have a black president, we have clowns parading as legitimate contenders. Take the deep rooted racism that permeates this society. mix in the fear of the terrorist, and add a good measure of vitriol and you have a concoction that allows the insane to proclaim righteous indignation of the liberal society. Fact is the progressive movement was slaughtered many years before with the systematic jailing of anyone even remotely tied to progressive politics or labor unions. That was way back in the 1920's when the exploitation of the workers was at its lowest ebb. For all those who forgot about the horrendous working condition (one case where women were burned to death because the doors were locked), not to mention child labor, and polluted food products. The onslaught on labor oriented parties was a direct result of the power brokers of capitalism fearing their right to plunder was in jeopardy so war was declared on any movement that had the audacity to speak for the common man. Funny how calling someone a socialist became a code word for all that is wrong with the world while robber baron got transformed into job creator. Yes indeed this country is the land of make believe, where any fool with a half empty head and a bitter hatred for anything other than his own can get a soapbox and proclaim his patriotism by spouting half truths and out right lies.
The problem rests with the fact that not a single conservative running for the republican nomination is willing to face reality. This economic quagmire we are stuck in was brought about by ill advised tax breaks and fool hardy (possibly illegal) wars that were unfunded. Let us not forget that deregulation set the stage for corrupt bankers to plunder society with illegal schemes. And against this mountain of difficult issues, stooges stand before us mouthing the same tired rhetoric of media personalities who possess not a scintilla of scruples nor an ounce of intelligence. I guess that old saying if you repeat a lie long enough people will believe applies.