The Rich Are Begging--For Your Vote!
Posted: Saturday, July 24, 2010
by Walter Rhett
Charleston Perlo
This year the rich are running for office.
Having purchased the toys, ransacked the economy, cowered their peers, pink-sipped thousands, finangled millions, handled the stress of it all by vacationing in places beyond everyperson's dreams, the last and ultimate gold ring for those who have a limited tradition of service or accountability to the people is the coronation of winning elected office! Being voted into power is both an installation and secular absolution!
It means that others think I am as bright, talented, and visionary as I think I am, and by God, I will spend a fortune on radio and television to convince them. There are rules here, however, complicated courtesan manners and rites to be followed: no "ghetto" appearances in low income minority neighborhoods; only smiles in suburbia with good camera angles and architectural backdrops that hint at my prowess as a builder; a stroll in the outdoors, preferably in jeans, to show I am a can-do kind of guy or girl, never mind actually examining the details of the non-existent record of what I did in public service, or how it affected the bottom line of you, the voters.
But let me make it clear: I want to be crowned! And I will sacrifice for this special chance to serve. (Why I will spend huge sums of my own money without contributing to institutions that have viable needs; and I will spend at an inconceivable burn rate to show you how important it is to me that you affirm my narcissistic belief in my self-anointment, and while I'm throwing away everything for you (well, disposable millions!), you won't have to door knock, contribute funds, or do live robo-calls; I'm making it easy; trust me, love me, adore me; just vote, for me!)
If they win, these homecoming king and queen wannabes will have real power. So will we usher in Roman-style democracy, in which only the rich engage in public service and hold the scepter of power? Will we replace the populist idea on which America braced its birth? Will we believe the rich are just one of us?
It is telling that so few of those with golden parachutes have followed the path of Bill Gates and provided money and leverage in support of a direct, non-elected impact on communities and family life. Gates' support of computer access, literacy, and AIDS services and prevention is done without the trappings of power and privilege which he knows as well as anyone. He serves important needs in providing opportunities for others and makes his dollars count and his influence felt.
The sad thing is all the money the rich are spending could have done far more good for the people they seek to "represent" than they will by buying and winning an election.
"O Lord , you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar."
Thanks for reading! /wr. Please, stir the Perlo; leave a comment.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Wonderful insight! I could not agree with you more. It is time these self appointed "kings" and "queens" step aside and let those with a true passion to serve for the greater good take their rightful places.
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