The Bigtop
Politics is an interesting circus–if circus if the correct word to describe such activities. One minute the public is cheering this or that politician in the center ring of public opinion, and the next the circus is being booed out of town so fast that the tents can’t come down quick enough.
The only problem with this type of analogy of course is that it leaves us to logically conclude that politicians are the clowns and animals dancing in the rings. If this is true, then power is the ring master (unless you happen to believe that the real ring master is Karl Rove). The animals jump and leap at his command, hoping that they might be rewarded with a chance to take the center stoplight. The acts change continually in attempts to keep the public’s favor and vote: this clown, that animal; this act, that skit. Such is the punishment that the public is required to endure in the name of liberty.
The Acts
Right now we may be preparing for a change of acts. President George W. Bush was elected in the hotly contested election of 2000, and has remained the opening act ever since. He took power with a Congress that swept out the Democratic Circus Union in 1994, but that had been stuck with a Democratic Ringmaster President Clinton. But in 2000, everything was suppose to change. A Republican Congress & President, united together in purpose (and power) was suppose to cure the evils of the nation and bring harmony and peace. Unless of course you were a Democrat, in which case the tent roof was falling, the bleachers were on fire and there were no exits. But at least the scene was stable, and it was widely expected to be ho-hum regular Republican administration.
But then the lion got loose. September 11, 2001 was a day that redefined the entire nature of the big top. Suddenly, the circus wasn’t fun anymore. There was a lion lose among the elephants, and something had to be done. In fact the entire name of the act changed, from a happy world-life to a war without a conventional enemy–if there even was an enemy. Was this just one little random act of hateful men, or was it a sign of things much deeper?
Choosing to the second option, the Bush administration chose to launch a “global war on terror.” If only we had know how far that terror extended, our strategy might of been different. Thus now we find ourselves military engaged in two countries across the globe, with no immediate benefit or purpose in sight. While such views and purposes can be found, they are not frequently found in the minds of the American public, whose short-sightedness and memory are infamous for being far too forgiving.
The this “Act of Terror” has continued for four years, with some success and some failure. Afghanistan stabilizing and becoming somewhat lawful, Suddam Hussain at trial, and elections in Iraq. These are to be sure encouraging signs, but they have not been without sacrifice or struggle. And therein lies the heart of the present debate–should the United States continue to spend its lives and money on struggles that will continue indefinitely with loss, or should such actions be halted whether or not it is the right time?
The Grand Finale
For Democrats and Republicans alike, this Tuesday is an election on the Iraq War. Democrats especially hope to use the Republican handling of the war as a plank to victory, while Republicans charge that the Democrats have no concern for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and would have the terrorist banging on our front door rather then fight. Neither side is completely right, or completely wrong. The War on Terror is something that will last longer then one, two or even three presidents, it may even last our life time. And with old and new problems at home and abroad, there are even more things to consider. A vote for a Democrat or Republican is not simply a vote on the wars, but a vote for an entire system of belief and behavior. Education, families, businesses, environment–all these are included in the simple label of “Democrat” or “Republican.” Neither side has the perfect answer, nor will either side get its way completely. But Tuesday, one side or the other will think they have won and received a mandate from the people, be it to save the children or fight the war.
In the final analysis, very little will change in the short term. If the Republicans win they will continue to receive angry letters from conservatives about their non-conservative behaviors. If the Democrats win, President Bush May suddenly discover the veto pen that has been missing for six years, and make liberal use of it. Either way, this coming election is just another grand finale to the election cycle circus. The clowns will continue to dance, the animals continue to roar, and the public continue to groan. And yet, this Tuesday cannot be dismissed so summarily out of hand. It is as if the center poll is staring to fall, and there are two options to fix it–one Republican way, one Democrat way. One may work just as well as another, but it will most decidedly determine the type of tent that we live in for the next 10, 20 and even 50 years.
