The New Credentials for Office - Blind Faith and Obedience

[arendt]

The slow-motion militarization and theocrat-ization of America seems to have been accomplished without the citizen-frog jumping out of the pot. Our media no longer judges candidates on their rationality and grasp of democratic principles; it judges them on their blind faith and their obedience. And the citizens do not burn down the media or lynch them on the spot.

The latest case in point: the blatant, biased pandering of the "leading" candidates discussing their "faith". Excuse me? Are we now saying that faith is a qualification for office? Have we dumped the part of the Constitution that says "there shall be no religious tests for office"? Furthermore, since none of these candidates have theological training, what is the cash value of their opinion on the subject? Is the purpose of this exercise for the candidates to send a code-worded signal about exactly which church they intend to outsource our government to?

Another credential being offered more and more frequently is the candidate's military background. In the case of Democrats, we hear about their actual service, which is fine. In the case of Republicans (who are almost uniformly chickenhawks), we hear about all the money they have voted to the M.I.C. and how many brown-skinned people they are willing to have our welfare-receiving troops kill.

But, we rarely hear much about anything else these people did before they ascended to the plutocracy ruling our country from on high.

----

Here is my main point:

What ever happened to un-spun candidates with well-rounded resumes, such as practicing attorney, innovative businessman, engineer, scientist, doctor, or any other civilian-reality-based occupation or profession? Its OK to say, I served briefly in the military and now I am a businessman. The problem is, lately, we never hear the "and now I am" part. (John Edwards is a happy exception, as was Howard Dean. Bill Frist and Mitt Romney are unhappy capitalist-buccaneer exceptions.)

What ever happened to real issues, instead of pontificating about faith or saluting the flag and supporting the troops? Real issues require literacy and historical perspective, something that our elites actively discourage these days. So, the media has winnowed the topics that can be discussed down to matters of opinion (faith) and "motherhood, god, and apple pie" (supporting the military).

----

Real people discussing real issues is, of course, a "quaint" notion. Citizen legislators went out with Frank Capra and the Fairness Doctrine. We don't want people who represent the greasy mechanics and harassed teachers who actually do the work in this country, who make the stuff and the people that the MIC devours.

In some ways, then, these candidates/legislators are only reflecting the government they want to serve. The American elites have destroyed America's industrial infrastructure (except for the military) - outsourcing all kinds of civilian-real-world stuff. And, its military is increasingly run by a bunch of theocratic civilian appointees from Bush, who are busy promoting the theocrats already among the military (e.g., the fundies seem to have successfully taken over the Air Force Academy).

The only organized power groups in America today, then, are the military/prison industrial complex and the theocrats. (Take away the DINOs in the Democratic Party, and the rest of it has no power and no solid organization. The labor unions are dead men walking.) It is simply logical that only their issues should be taken into consideration in political debate.

So, ala Rod Serling, I offer you something "for your consideration":

These candidates, enthusiastically dancing the theocrat/militarist jig, are the logical outcome of a country whose power elite has systematically destroyed its middle class and its democracy, and intends to rule by theocratic dictat, backed up by military force.

So, forget college. Go to fundamentalist theology school or Regents' University. Then join the military. If you manage not to get killed or maimed, and you don't get permanently stationed in Iraq, then you can come home and run for office.

----

Gee, where have I heard this before? Isn't that exactly how Rome ran its empire? Legions on the frontiers. Dad comes home on leave to knock up the wife and vote, then heads back to serve out his twenty-year enlistment.

Its a great tradition, one America can learn to be proud of - right before the barbarians burn us to the ground.

[arendt]

1. I guess everyone is watching the GOP pander-fest. Bad timing on my part. n/t