I've been asked to write for another blog, a political blog. You'll notice it on the sidebar. "The College Whig Review" is a blog started by Alex Kurt, who has worked on The John Edwards campaign. I'll post there once and a while, and when appropriate, re-post that blog here, but I might not send them here, so make sure you check it out...there is some great writing already going on at the blog.
Here is the post:
Steven Colbert announced last week that he intends to enter the presidential race, running as both a Democrat and a Republican (delicious!) on the docket in South Carolina. Within days the web was swept up with "Colbert Buzz" and his Facebook group, "A Million Strong for Steven T. Colbert" has already passed a million members. Obama, the candidate who is supposed to be the one who "understands the youth" has just over a THIRD of that size in his Facebook group. Friends have asked me if I would vote for Colbert, if given the chance. I'm somewhat dumbfounded. Vote for a comedian with no political plan? I love Colbert. He is smart, hilarious and clearly on top of the satire game, but as a serious political candidate? Most can't even distinguish between the actual Colbert and the Papa Bear-esque character he plays on "The Report".
However, I am glad he is doing what he is doing. If for no other reason, Colbert's campaign has shown Washington that the young do want change and not "soon" or "down the road"...but now. The idea of change is labeled on a lot of campaign slogans...and has been since the birth of at least this nation, and probably since Acropolis in Greece. The advertised change is artificial. It might be a change from one party to another, or worse just a change in the warm body occupying the chair of authority. When we look at the last 40 years of American politics, we see change, but what kind of changes? We haven't seen radical political change since at least Wilson to FDR. Since the end of the Cold War, we haven't reviewed our political ways in America, we've gone on as usual, waiting for change to just happen, or worse...forced to happen.
I'm sure someone is thinking: "Do we need change? Is this not working?" The answer, of course, is yes we do. I'm not talking about a mere change from George W. Bush to someone else, be it either a Democrat or a Republican, but actual, meaningful change to the system, the people and how we view our leaders. The Cabinet, Senate, House and all elected leaders are supposed to be public servants, but they aren't anymore. They serve their own causes, not those of the people they serve. How can we have a president have a 30 percent approval rating? How can the huddled masses be shouting at the top of their lungs and not be heard?
I realize how idealist this is. I know that any political system will become corrupt at some point, it is the way humanity works, but I think our current system has been exploited enough and it may be time for a change, and it has been shown to us all by a guy who became famous on Comedy Central. God Bless cable.
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1 comment:
I agree that our leaders no longer server the people. As capitolism seems to do to everything - our leasers serve the money. Those who fund the campaign get to have a louder voice than the voters and it's sad.
Also, I hope no one votes for Colbert. I like him too, but I still remember in 2000 when Gore lost (not really but for the sake of arguement) by a small percent. If no one had voted for the green party as a joke Gore would have won. I hope we don't lose left-leaning college students votes to a joke.
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