One of the most dangerous trends in contemporary political life is the seeming rise of the independent voter. In the recent front-page story “Independent voters prove elusive….. (2/16/10)” stated that “40 percent of the available electorate in 2008 identified themselves as independent.” Such a number is alarming because it indicates that the American voter is being seduced into the cult of the personality; the candidate with the greatest star power will win their vote. If this is true future American elections will be nothing but a nation wide popularity contest. Election Day will be the ultimate crowning of the real “American Idol.”
For those of us who believe and support a political philosophy rather than a political star, this trend is a real threat to our democracy. This is especially ominous when politics of contempt seems the tenor of current campaigning. Even months before the elections, potential candidates are vying for guest shots, speaking engagements, and pricey personal appearances to showcase their charm, wit, and stage presence. Voters will soon be unable to actually see their candidate, being blinded by the spotlights and “foot lights” of the political paparazzi. And with the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporate interests unlimited freedom to pump enormous financial resources in support of the candidate most favorable to them, the star treatment will be even more brazenly exploited.
Throughout our history, the United States of America has had an abundance of real heroes, statesmen and political giants. From George Washington to Barack Obama we the people have been graced with mostly honorable and intelligent leaders. All these leaders have been guided by, and disciplined with, a loyalty to a set of principles, ideals, and philosophies of government. Each represented and offered something greater than themselves. They offered America the choice of a way of life, not just a choice between popular persons. That is what has made America great: the principles upon which we stand and candidates and elected officials who proclaimed and prospered those principles. With the wedding of television’s star power and self-interested corporate financial resources, the principles, ideals, and promise of America are truly in danger. And it will be the “independent” voter who is most vulnerable to the sales pitch of the “political pitch man.”
My hope is that each voter will join the party of his/her choice. I hope that each will ally him/her self with the political party that expresses the principles, ideals, and philosophy of government that each believes best reflects, expresses, and perpetuates the America we love. Then once the election of over, hold those elected officials to a loyalty to the political party whose banner they bear. And please eschew voting for the talking head that is the wittiest, the wiliest, the smoothest, the slickest and the sharpest of the hucksters offered as candidates. Help keep America a nation of principles and ideals and not a people star-stunned by a television-created American idol.
In hope…
Fr. Bob Layne (Episcopal Priest – retired)
McPherson, Kansas
