The American Election

Today's revelatory American presidential election has managed to ensnare us all. Its dominance on the political and social scene in America and perhaps here, as well, has made Momsey wonder whether government is about the people or something called 'the party'.

In Canada, we have three or more political parties; in America, only two. Party affiliation seems to make governing a country, a contest where winner takes all. All political parties should be espousing the same truth: a basic living standard, with healthcare and education, expected human rights for all! Governing should be about principles, morality, integrity and fiscal responsibility. The voice of a select few, in this elite club called government, should not matter more than the collective voice of the country: its citizens.

I was a teen when JFK was president. I worried about the conflict between our neighbour to the south and one of its closest neighbours. Friday, the world could end, I'd heard. With a deathly vigil, my innocence and naivety waited for World War III. The end was near. Where would I hide, I wondered? I read the newspaper. Friday arrived. Nothing happened. A crisis of unimaginable proportions had been averted. I was ever so grateful. I continued on my merry way. I was a teen, after all. Girls were supposed to be flighty, thinking only about makeup, boys and other frivolous things. What did I know, anyway? Not much, I guess. But I was scared and trusted all great leaders to do the right thing for their citizens and the rest of the world, too.

America was a mighty nation, an ally to Canada. The news had been ominous in the 60's. I wrote about it in my diary. Everything seemed dire, but JFK, the trusted great leader from the great United States of America would always do the right thing. And he did. But less than two years later, he was dead, killed by an assassin's bullets. News of his death shocked the world, a shattering blow to our collective security and morality. I'd been a student in Grade 12 Latin class when our teacher answered the knock on her classroom door. She turned to speak to us, quivering, as the tears welled up. We were numb. We cried. How could it have happened? And why did it happen? Some have said JFK was the last great president. (And Ronald Reagan, too!)

Today's primaries, unfolding in the United States of America, began with 17 hopefuls running for the Republican 'party', in the race to the White House. Months later, two remained, running the gauntlet for the party's nomination. For the Democratic party's nomination, there were only two candidates, from the outset. Lineups for voting, in the numerous state primaries for the Republican Party brought out large numbers of Americans to vote. They wanted to be heard! They wanted to be 'counted'. The interest was electrifying. Some lineups were blocks or a mile long. In many districts, ballots were in short supply, needing to be re-printed as supplies dwindled. The excitement and anger of the American people were understood. (We get angry here, too.) There was no mistaking the Pandora's box unleashed by one of the candidates running for president. Donald Trump was here to stay. He is now his party's official nominee for president, with Hillary Clinton, the official opposition.

Being interviewed on CNN, many months ago, the actor made mention he was present during the heydays of the 60's, while being featured in a political commercial about the role of government. How had the politics of government changed so much that it was, now, more about party affiliation and less about governing a country? Many look to government for help, guidance and basic rights. But has the institution become a hallowed hall for the lucky few voted into power? Is it now a monstrous make-work project for those fortunate enough to be voted in, unconditionally? The 'politics' of power does not feed our children, provide us with jobs, healthcare and education. Government should be about the people, not just some people. (Or is Momsey confused with the script from a Hollywood movie?)

The role of government is to make society a more equitable place for all to live, work and play. Being marginalized in a democratic society is not equitable at all. How we have strayed. Governments assign a tax rate then arbitrarily raise the rate to pay for public services and the necessary infrastructure projects. Then we shop with the 'leftovers' of the after tax 'insult'. Full-time employment is a dream for many of us. Yet during any election - Canadian or American - it would seem that party affiliation is the name of the election game. It is party this and party that. Lost in all this 'partying' are the voters who have, graciously and generously, put citizens they do not know, now labelled politicians, into this prestige power club. Government's role is to assist its citizens, to 'help' elevate their circumstances for their short term and long-term well-being. An election seems to be a contest that few win, with no conditions attached to the winners. We are the 'employer' yet the 'employees' run the 'show'. Being a politician should not be a 'lucrative' career, with expense accounts, trips and zero accountability. There should be no wheel of fortune!

It was a controversial box-office success when Frank Capra's, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” was released in 1939! In the starring role, as Mr. Emerson Smith, legendary Hollywood actor, James Stewart, portrayed the hapless, naive, idealistic country 'boy', selected as a junior senator, to go to Washington. The movie was ahead of its time, receiving 11 academy award nominations and winning for Best Original Story. In 1989, it was added to the United States National Film Registry, for its cultural and historical significance. As the title might suggest, Mr. Emerson Smith was the 'new kid' in Washington, new to the workings of government. His rousing, exhausting, emotionally and physically draining '24 hour' filibuster scene, in the 'senate', demonstrated to his audience that he would not be silenced. Eerily, in that moment, I thought of Donald Trump, in today's modern 'parallel' version - 80 years after the iconic movie's release.

Emerson Smith was a character in a political movie. Donald Trump is a real character, in real life politics, shouting his messages, for all to hear. Like Emerson Smith in the movie, Donald Trump is new on the political scene but will not be silenced. His public persona has rattled the country and the world. As an outsider, unpredictable, unflinching and uncompromising, with an intense 'unscripted' delivery style, Mr. Trump is the billionaire businessman who hopes to make America safe and great again. 'Politics', he says, has no place in government. Whether he wins or loses, government will never be the same. The great people of the United States of America will have spoken!