SugarSkullParade
I'M SHOVIN' IT
It has been a little over one week since the U.S. Presidential election and I am just now putting it all together. My dizziness is subsiding and things are starting to become clear. For the most part, I have stopped raging at my fellow citizens (51% of the voting populace, that is), and am now able to understand how this debacle came about.
I think I know how a president, who rushed into an un-necessary war with unexpected consequences while alienating many of our allies - who lost a million or so jobs in less than four years while squandering a healthy budget surplus - who preaches freedom and democracy abroad while restricting civil liberties at home - and who campaigned in a denim shirt while pandering to his billionaire friends, managed to get re-elected.
As with many psychological explanations, it all goes back to childhood.
And food.
It came down to a rejection of change and the unknown, and an embracing of the familiar and comfortable.
As children, we were most comfortable with routine and re-assurance. Regular naptime and regular recess. Everything in order and everything in it's place. And within this well-ordered universe, food served as a comforting touchstone. As we made the transition from childhood to adulthood, food was there to fall back on occasionally - providing brief moments of respite from the uncertainty of change. After all, deep inside, we all crave stability. And that is the Republican's formula for success.
They deliver constancy, a sense of solidity, and reliability, while portraying the other side as unstable (or "flip-floppy").
In other words, they are the McDonald's of national politics. They keep their "menu" simple and un-imaginative. They keep the focus on a few core items and let the other side appear to be scrambling. Scrambling for the latest trends and the next "big thing".
And here's where the McDonald's comparison really kicks in.
They never vary from their routine until public pressure absolutely demands it.
Example : Adding low-fat salads, and fruit to the menu = dropping the anti-homosexual plank from the convention platform in 1996.
Democrats, on the other hand, do their best to accomodate as many interests as possible. They are the party that truly desires to leave "no child behind". But in time of doubt and fear, that doesn't work. It only confuses the customers - and they fall back on good ol' burgers and fries.
And Conservatism.
As for me - my stomach hurts, and someday I'll have to puke.
And I just might need a toilet in France.
Can you say "Le Big Mac"?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
SugarSkullParade
SugarSkullParade
I'M SHOVIN' IT
It has been a little over one week since the U.S. Presidential election and I am just now putting it all together. My dizziness is subsiding and things are starting to become clear. For the most part, I have stopped raging at my fellow citizens (51% of the voting populace, that is), and am now able to understand how this debacle came about.
I think I know how a president, who rushed into an un-necessary war with unexpected consequences while alienating many of our allies - who lost a million or so jobs in less than four years while squandering a healthy budget surplus - who preaches freedom and democracy abroad while restricting civil liberties at home - and who campaigned in a denim shirt while pandering to his billionaire friends, managed to get re-elected.
As with many psychological explanations, it all goes back to childhood.
And food.
It came down to a rejection of change and the unknown, and an embracing of the familiar and comfortable.
As children, we were most comfortable with routine and re-assurance. Regular naptime and regular recess. Everything in order and everything in it's place. And within this well-ordered universe, food served as a comforting touchstone. As we made the transition from childhood to adulthood, food was there to fall back on occasionally - providing brief moments of respite from the uncertainty of change. After all,deep within, we all crave constancy. And that has helped to provide the Republican's recipe for success.
They deliver constancy, a sense of solidity, and reliability, while portraying the other side as unstable (or "flip-floppy").
In other words, they are the McDonald's of national politics. They keep their "menu" simple and un-imaginative. They keep the focus on a few core items and let the other side appear to be scrambling. Scrambling for the latest trends and the next "big thing".
And here's where the McDonald's comparison really kicks in.
They never vary from their routine until public pressure absolutely demands it.
Example : Adding low-fat salads, and fruit to the menu = dropping the anti-homosexual plank from the convention platform in 1996.
Democrats, on the other hand, do their best to accomodate as many interests as possible. They are the party that truly desires to leave "no child behind". But in time of doubt and fear, that doesn't work. This only confuses the customers - and they fall back on good ol' burgers and fries.
And Conservatism.
As for me - my stomach hurts, and someday I'll have to puke.
And I just might need a toilet in France.
Can you say "Le Big Mac"?
I'M SHOVIN' IT
It has been a little over one week since the U.S. Presidential election and I am just now putting it all together. My dizziness is subsiding and things are starting to become clear. For the most part, I have stopped raging at my fellow citizens (51% of the voting populace, that is), and am now able to understand how this debacle came about.
I think I know how a president, who rushed into an un-necessary war with unexpected consequences while alienating many of our allies - who lost a million or so jobs in less than four years while squandering a healthy budget surplus - who preaches freedom and democracy abroad while restricting civil liberties at home - and who campaigned in a denim shirt while pandering to his billionaire friends, managed to get re-elected.
As with many psychological explanations, it all goes back to childhood.
And food.
It came down to a rejection of change and the unknown, and an embracing of the familiar and comfortable.
As children, we were most comfortable with routine and re-assurance. Regular naptime and regular recess. Everything in order and everything in it's place. And within this well-ordered universe, food served as a comforting touchstone. As we made the transition from childhood to adulthood, food was there to fall back on occasionally - providing brief moments of respite from the uncertainty of change. After all,deep within, we all crave constancy. And that has helped to provide the Republican's recipe for success.
They deliver constancy, a sense of solidity, and reliability, while portraying the other side as unstable (or "flip-floppy").
In other words, they are the McDonald's of national politics. They keep their "menu" simple and un-imaginative. They keep the focus on a few core items and let the other side appear to be scrambling. Scrambling for the latest trends and the next "big thing".
And here's where the McDonald's comparison really kicks in.
They never vary from their routine until public pressure absolutely demands it.
Example : Adding low-fat salads, and fruit to the menu = dropping the anti-homosexual plank from the convention platform in 1996.
Democrats, on the other hand, do their best to accomodate as many interests as possible. They are the party that truly desires to leave "no child behind". But in time of doubt and fear, that doesn't work. This only confuses the customers - and they fall back on good ol' burgers and fries.
And Conservatism.
As for me - my stomach hurts, and someday I'll have to puke.
And I just might need a toilet in France.
Can you say "Le Big Mac"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
