The Noses Grow Longer and Longer

When was the last time you believed, without reservation or nagging doubt, one word that you heard from anyone in political office?  Is "oh, bullpoop" your immediate reaction?  Can you honestly say that you take at face value the televised statements from congressional and presidential spokespersons and the principals themselves? 

Exactly how stupid do those twisted souls in Washington and (insert the name of your state) think Americans are?

Or, even more frightening, how stupid are we to believe the downright lies we are fed day after day after day?

I choked on my tea last week as I briefly scanned the evening news.  Mr. Obamarama, having been soundly trounced in his efforts to ram down our throats his unwanted, bloated, outrageously spendy health care reform, suddenly changed his tune and addressed "jobs" for the jobless, amid new and depressing unemployment rates -- while at the same time spanking Wall Street for their continuing evil practices and outrageous compensation packages.  (Obama giveth and now Obama will taketh away, apparently.)

Obviously, some of his czars have decided (since the media has told them so) that the American public is most concerned about the economy, and that's what The Boss should be talking about.  He's also rehired his campaign manager, David Plouffe, as head cheerleader and chief manipulator of the Obamarama presidency. 

So, here we go again.  For weeks, months, and probably years, we'll be treated to Obama The Candidate -- which is the only successful thing he's done in his remarkably less-than-illustrious political career.  Like the Pinocchio he is (who, remember, was a wooden puppet long before he became a Real Boy), he will mouth pretty lies, repeating all the hopey and changey platitudes that got him elected in the first place, telling us over and over and over and over and over (etc.) what he and his "message crafters" think we want to hear. 

Raise your hand if you think this conversation takes place daily in the West Wing:  "For God's sake, don't forget that Americans are completely stupid.  Don't tell them the truth about anything, especially if it makes us look bad.  They don't have a clue about the country's real problems, but don't let them know we don't have a clue about any reasonable, practical options for solving them.  In fact, don't do anything, period -- but by all means make it look like and sound like we have all the answers.  Tell them anything -- they're dumb enough to buy it all.  Above all, don't do any real governing -- just splash about in the kiddie pool and play to the polls. Blah, lie, blah, lie, blah, lie, blah, lie, blah, lie, blah, lie and blah."


Probably, because this strategy worked so well in his last campaign, a portion of the wide-eyed, idealistic voters will swoon again and swallow his swill, Obama's polling numbers will bump up and President O will claim public support and a rousing success. 

Think back over the past few years of reprehensible political and personal scandals (both Republicans' and Democrats') that were perpetrated, denied, denied, denied, admitted to, apologized for and then forgotten. 

Think of the promises made by congressional leaders -- who then backtracked each one in the name of expediency.

Think of the promises made in the 2008 election that have not been kept (transparency of process, for one).

If you dare, take a look at the concerns the conservative media had regarding Obama's qualifications, experience and questionable supporters, then take a look at the lies we were told about each of those.

Lying is certainly not limited to those who work in Washington -- or in State capitols -- but the bullshit detectors certainly seem to work overtime in D.C.  I'm not by nature a cynical person, but following politics (even as casually and superficially as I do) can certainly turn an idealist into a prickly cynic in a very short time.

So, talk on, President O -- tell us what you think we want to hear -- give us another piece of pie in the sky -- move your lips to the puppeteers' dancing fingers.  It's the only thing you're really good at -- but be careful, those are your pants on fire. 
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