Politics as Entertainment

Politics is a concept derived from the Greek word, “polis.” The original concept aimed at enhancing society to benefit the moral and ethical character of human beings. Sages and prophets thought or believed men and women needed a hand up so they helped organized religious and civil societies. As elected representatives replaced monarchs and popes, some of the superstitious barriers that protected the powerful from the hoi polloi disappeared and some folks found their way to “self-government.”

For a couple of centuries, the American experiment in representative democracy was seen, arguably, as the high point in this trend toward self-government, based on principles of merit, reason, and enlightened self-interest. Today, due to a transcendent media, politics has less in common with electoral democracy and more in common with sporting and entertainment events. Politicians, rightly or wrongly, are seen as coaches, athletes, and celebrities—not unlike the characters featured on television or in the movies.

Today, politicians and their partisans frequently focus not on principle but on winning, not on a game well played but only on the final score. During elections, partisans imitate rapid fans, who paint their faces, pull bags over their heads, and demonize the opposition. The politico and his or her fan will compromise principle in an effort to win: denigrate reason and argument, appeal to prejudice, cut taxes, promote wars, and promise to maintain social entitlements.

Election day signals the end of the season. But, unlike sport, the season isn’t over. Now the season of governing begins. As we know from the last presidential-congressional election, Obama and the Dems ran a helluva campaign to get elected but have failed to keep promises to their partisans or to govern effectively. In sport, you have stats upon which fans are experts. In politics, you have fungible facts and interpretation or “spin” more akin to the reviews of art, film, drama, and literature on which to base your opinion.

The reviewers speak about the contradictions, broken promises, and occasional successes of the governors. Based on a variety of criteria, including in depth perspectives, the Sunday NYT columnist, Frank Rich, is probably the best political analyst writing today, about national politics. His success is due as much to his own perspicacity as it is to his experience as the paper’s onetime film and drama critic.

If we see politics and politicians as characters in entertainment spectacles the human condition in America is far more palatable. For our leaders, like us, are a mix of weaknesses and strengths, reason and emotion, pathos and humor. Perhaps humor is the most important quality—the best indication of what it means to be civilized for politicians and observers. Humor and irony—the ability to ire-interpret acts in a variety of ways–comprise the ability to step outside and laugh at ourselves, at once recognizing what it means to be human.

Local political comedy.

We have been reading how the County Commissioners denied La Martina a beer and wine license despite renovating a famed local tavern and dance hall because: a) She’s not from here; b) The Archbishop didn’t sign off on behalf of the church and local priests “come and go;” c) She didn’t follow the code and pull the proper permits—unlike the Outlaw Garage or Blackstone Ranch? d) None of the above but for some other reason.

The local school board has inadvertently raised our property taxes because they say they “didn’t know” or read the fine print? Similarly, the Superintendent and Director of Instruction said they “didn’t know” why students who couldn’t read at grade level were promoted. One board member has complained about AYP failures, poor graduation rates for Hispanic students, and the generally poor quality of education at TMS.

Now come Dr. Jose Armas and the De Colores Board of Directors, who have selected the Taos Municipal School Board for its Educational Leadership Award. Apparently, Armas, who received a $5000 contract from the board, has praised TMS for “eliminating the achievement gap” and “educating all children.” The award will be presented on Friday, October 15th during a banquet at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.”

(It only costs $75 to attend if you want to celebrate the achievements of your local school board. Finally! A little spin–some Good News!)

During this year’s campaign for Gov., Demos have demonized the Republican Martinez as nothing but a Tea-Party type carpet-bagging Tejana and probable descendant of a veteran of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta. En el Norte, Demo partisans are deserting the Anglo Denish in droves for La Tejana, whether due to the former’s blond hair or because tarnished by her association with the Big Fella, a carpet-bagging “pay to play” politico from Mexico by way of the Boston area for whom 80% of the electorate voted last time.

So locales, despite benefiting from Demo largesse dribbling down from the Roundhouse and Whitehouse, are voting for the party of Corporate America. The latter bought and paid for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has redefined what it means to be human. Now the Supremes have turned the Corporation—a legal construct–into a citizen protected by the First Amendment and the U.S.Chamber of Commerce is soliciting funds from abroad with which to control the propaganda arm of the GOP. But “none dare call it treason.”

Epilogue

And here we always thought the Church was Holy and Roman and Universal but not necessarily Human. But as it says in the book the Disappeared Barber is reading about Afghanistan: “Every man in this village is a liar.” That’s why he votes a Yellow Dog Democratic ticket. We also hear a local county commissioner has been asked to take over the chairmanship of the local Democratic Party. You can’t have loyalty without betrayal.