The Aphrodisiac of Power
Isn't it amazing how people relate to one another, view one another, weigh one another's attributes, and respond to one another as a result of those personal and sometimes very intimate ingredients, seasoned with exterior realizations? Political wives often have reason to feel left behind, neglected, their needs overlooked. And the revelations that surface all too frequently of powerful national legislators consumed with their own sense of power, turning to illicit and immoral sexual gratification as an entitlement are revelatory.
The grossness of Italian President Berlusconi's antics as a womanizer, causing no end of amusement to the Italian public which has twice elected him to power, while causing no end of anguish to his wife, another case in point. And how many lawmakers have stood on their high horse of moral condemnation over the sexual indiscretions of others in high public office, pontificating on family values, who are then unmasked for being sexual predators themselves?
But then there's the other facet, that of a couple whose mutual respect and admiration for one another leads them to value one another even more highly when one has attained to high office and the other stands in the supporting role of helpmate. As a refreshing alternative to the scenarios of values gone amok and marriage betrayals there is the example of the new American president and his wife, a devoted couple setting a valuable yardstick.
The seemingly unflappable Barack Obama, who appears to have mastered the ability to remain calm while all about him is in chaos a case in point. His political ambitions have, it would appear, not always been appreciated by his wife. This is a woman who demands notice, and demands above all, that her husband devote unstinting notice to her. As his wife and mother of his children and an intellectually accomplished person in her own right.
His ascent to the ultimate station of the power elite, as president of the United States has accented their relationship with an acuteness of self-awarness. He is demonstrating that she is his escape valve in the pressure cooker of politically incendiary events beyond the control of any man however politically adept and humanly philosophically aware, to manipulate to useful advantage. Michelle Obama feels her mate selection to have been vindicated in his ascent to power.
It demonstrated poor political and diplomatic form to turn away from a shared dinner with President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, in favour of a discreetly romantic dinner for two, but neither President Obama nor his wife appear to have suffered in public opinion as a result. How Carla Sarkozy may view Michelle Obama is another matter altogether. But not dining together spared President Obama's wife the potential agony of pique in the presence of the dashing Nicolas and his confident wife.
That President Obama gallantly whisked his wife to a posh New York dinner and Broadway show in a demonstration of faithfully uxorious dedication to his marriage and the woman of his shared destiny is certain to entrance those who have invested so much in their future as Americans with him at the helm. That it cost taxpayers a reputed $73,000 to have the lovebirds helicoptered, planed and limousined to the love nest is a bit of a splurge.
The model husband, father and successful politician who has the undying support and admiration of his wife who just happens to be enjoying herself in the national and international spotlight, is himself managing to have a good time while juggling the imperatives of presidential decision-making at such an inconveniently difficult time on the international stage.
Nothing exceeds like success, it would seem. And it's for the simple-minded to celebrate the perfection of the ultimate political-social-personal success story as representing what it appears to be, un-nuanced by any troubling, too-human stumbles.
The grossness of Italian President Berlusconi's antics as a womanizer, causing no end of amusement to the Italian public which has twice elected him to power, while causing no end of anguish to his wife, another case in point. And how many lawmakers have stood on their high horse of moral condemnation over the sexual indiscretions of others in high public office, pontificating on family values, who are then unmasked for being sexual predators themselves?
But then there's the other facet, that of a couple whose mutual respect and admiration for one another leads them to value one another even more highly when one has attained to high office and the other stands in the supporting role of helpmate. As a refreshing alternative to the scenarios of values gone amok and marriage betrayals there is the example of the new American president and his wife, a devoted couple setting a valuable yardstick.
The seemingly unflappable Barack Obama, who appears to have mastered the ability to remain calm while all about him is in chaos a case in point. His political ambitions have, it would appear, not always been appreciated by his wife. This is a woman who demands notice, and demands above all, that her husband devote unstinting notice to her. As his wife and mother of his children and an intellectually accomplished person in her own right.
His ascent to the ultimate station of the power elite, as president of the United States has accented their relationship with an acuteness of self-awarness. He is demonstrating that she is his escape valve in the pressure cooker of politically incendiary events beyond the control of any man however politically adept and humanly philosophically aware, to manipulate to useful advantage. Michelle Obama feels her mate selection to have been vindicated in his ascent to power.
It demonstrated poor political and diplomatic form to turn away from a shared dinner with President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, in favour of a discreetly romantic dinner for two, but neither President Obama nor his wife appear to have suffered in public opinion as a result. How Carla Sarkozy may view Michelle Obama is another matter altogether. But not dining together spared President Obama's wife the potential agony of pique in the presence of the dashing Nicolas and his confident wife.
That President Obama gallantly whisked his wife to a posh New York dinner and Broadway show in a demonstration of faithfully uxorious dedication to his marriage and the woman of his shared destiny is certain to entrance those who have invested so much in their future as Americans with him at the helm. That it cost taxpayers a reputed $73,000 to have the lovebirds helicoptered, planed and limousined to the love nest is a bit of a splurge.
The model husband, father and successful politician who has the undying support and admiration of his wife who just happens to be enjoying herself in the national and international spotlight, is himself managing to have a good time while juggling the imperatives of presidential decision-making at such an inconveniently difficult time on the international stage.
Nothing exceeds like success, it would seem. And it's for the simple-minded to celebrate the perfection of the ultimate political-social-personal success story as representing what it appears to be, un-nuanced by any troubling, too-human stumbles.
Labels: Life's Like That, United States, Values
posted by Pieface | 7:26 PM
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