Who Woulda Thunk It?

I'm just an onlooker, a nosy outsider who marvels at the insanity of politics in general and some in particular. Away back when Jimmy Carter ran for the presidency of the United States I kind of sneered at the fact that a born-again Christian would run for such high public office, and then sneered again when he was elected. What kind of country elects to the highest office of the land a born-again Christian? Aren't they all kind of religion-soused and unpredictable?

And then I ate my words when this incredibly decent man, although an admitted failure as President of the United States, did his very best to live his Christian belief and to administer to the best of his ability with the help of officials whom he appointed who shared his keen intelligence and sense of universal responsibility. And then swallowed again, hard, when, post-office, he continued to cut a very public figure, dedicated this time to the ongoing betterment of mankind.

And then, what? An actor, a grade C actor, Ronald Reagan, was elected to the Presidency. This aw-shucks, shambling, sleepy-head of an anti-intellectual was seated in the White House. I was, in fact, in a hotel room in Washington when I heard him state, on television that Russia was the "evil empire". Well they might have been, but who possibly would use such terminology other than a complete idiot? Well, that complete idiot managed to somehow do some fairly forward-thinking things in the interests of world peace, between naps, and even though he was manipulated by special interests and large corporations he did reasonably well, and is remembered with loving kindness by a vast majority of Americans.

Can't call them all, now, can we? Hell, can't even get a minority of them right.

Didn't we all love that good-natured, intelligent, seeker-after-good for the public weal, Bill Clinton. He walked the walk, he talked the talk. He impressed us right out of our socks. Everyone loved him. Well, sure, the Republican party didn't, but why would they? He espoused everything they detested. Women swooned over him. When he spoke, people sat up, they listened. And then he revealed his clay feet, and dammit, there goes another illusion!

All right, let's leave the oval office for a minute. California is a population-heavy state; good grief they have a greater population than many nations of the world. It's a large state, and with a population that is diverse, creative, and conscientious. Who, who did you say was running for the governership of California? It's a laugh, why would that man be so presumptuous, does he take Californians for chumps? Come to think of it, how could a Kennedy ever be connected with another grade C actor, another shambling caricature, Arnold Schwarztenegger.

Well, bloody damn! He's Governor Schwartzenegger. Talk about progressive. Where did it come from? Surely not that muscle-bound ape. He's a frontman for someone, for some group, there's got to be a reasonable explanation. This guy defies the White House, goes against the Republican grain, is his own person? Person? is there someone inside that facade negating the impression we so loathe? Must be. How else explain his determined agenda to take such unpopular steps for the purpose of having California lead the country in environmental and lifestyle initiatives?

Sense of humour? Who knew? He obviously recognizes something about himself: "Trying to link me with George Bush is like trying to link me with an Oscar". Bravo. The man, incredibly, resembles an actual stateman, in character, in leadership, in goals, in determination.

If this is acting, it's pretty good stuff, not at all a reflection of what he's been known for formerly. If this is sincere statesmanship, bring it on.

Hey, we all make errors in judgement; no one is immune. And, here's hoping...