What women and politicians have in common – Part 1

By Attila Honey

What do women and politicians have in common? Well, for one thing, they both know how to shoot themselves in the foot at the very moment they are sitting in the catbird seat. Let’s begin with politicians. When George W. began his Presidency, his party had control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He explained to America – his vision for reform programs that would bring relief to many of the ills plaguing this nation. Many factors came into play that prevented this vision from coming to fruition, i.e. the war in Iraq, his own party shooting him in the foot and subsequently shooting themselves in the foot – thus paving the way for the majority in the House and Senate now. However, no one gets a free pass in this political game of chess. The Republicans had the best of all scenarios but they couldn’t get their individuated opinions out of the way long enough to rally behind a new President in order to push forward a conservative agenda born out of intelligent discussion and concern for the American people. Every President inherits the problems of his predecessor and Bush was no exception. Was he a perfect President? I think not – but this country felt safe with the programs he had in place regarding terrorism. I don’t think Americans feel that same sense of security today.

You say, “What’s your point?” Just this – Remember poor old Rodney King who said, “Can’t we all get along? Well, no Rodney we can’t – not today, not yesterday and I doubt if we ever will. Why? SELF INTEREST! My great friend Em used to say, “Well, you’ve got an opinion, so what?” How many times have you watched C-Span and thought, ”WOULD YOU PEOPLE JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!” If we could but harness the wasted energy behind all the opinions of human beings – that might just create some ‘out of the box’ solar energy! Am I a Republican or a Democrat? At this juncture – I’d have to say neither. I’m just an innocent bystander, like the majority of Americans, waiting for the next drive by hit. As journalist Charley Reese so wisely put it…” There are 545 people responsible for America’s woes. They are the 100 Senators, 435 Congressmen, one President and 9 Supreme Court Justices – 545 human beings out of the 300M who are directly legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No intelligent human being would have the gall of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who stood up and criticized G.W. Bush for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.” The bottom line is that all the hoo hah regarding the new Health Care Bill is about nothing more that seizing power and limiting rights. I think it’s about time we go back and review the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Americans suffer from the malady of falling in love with the “marketed persona” of those candidates running for President rather than using their God given intelligence, doing their homework and actually researching the candidate’s track record, their background and their associates. Instead, we vote with emotion and are turned on by the charisma and of these people. It’s a “puppy love” mentality that loves movie star good looks and then goes so far as to use that as a criteria for casting their vote. Charisma is the defining moment when their ring goes on that politician’s finger and the words, “I do” are uttered. Sometimes I listen to focus groups and wonder what spaceship they arrived on. When asked, “Why are you going to vote for him?” The answer is as banal as, “I just like him. He’s so cute. He’s so charming. He makes me feel good about myself and I like his vision for America.” Well, Duh! Duh! and more Duhs! Did you do any in depth research on the background of this individual? What had he accomplished that benefited his constituents before he ran for President? Good looks and a smooth tongue are to a Presidential candidate what a good make over is to a woman – better to have it than not have it – but in the long haul, the hooters will one day turn into ping pong paddles and good looks go south fast! What Americans want to know is “WHERE’S THE  BEEF?”

Americans can’t seem to live without that minority guilt ridden train ride and it is seriously passé if not tedious in this day and age. It’s time for that gravy train to come to a screeching halt. However, I don’t see that happening because 1) it is politically expedient 2) fanning the racial fire equates to big bucks. Is it possible that we elect Afro American politicians based upon unloading some mythical guilt – and in so doing, we unload a burden that doesn’t belong to us. Leaving partisan politics aside, that is an insulting perspective. Well, as my Grandfather used to say, “HOGWASH” – The measure of any man or woman is their devotion and dedication to duty – nothing more and nothing less. Now let’s take on Hillary Clinton – well, that’s another blog for Sunday – so tune in folks for another peek at what women and politicians have in common.

(To be continued – Part 2 on Sunday, Jan 17, 2010)

Attila Honey