It has been some time since I wrote of American politics, for --- and I find this sad --- I there is little commentary of substance.
There are fascinating Constitutional matters which should be grabbing the public’s attention. Consider, for example, Emergency Financial Managers. A state governor has power to appoint an EFM if a city or town is in dire financial difficulties --- the manager reviews the problems and fixes them, as much as possible, working with elected and appointed officials.
The twist is that newly-elected governors, such as Pat Quinn, an Illinois Democrat, have appointed EFMs who have fired not only appointed but also elected officials, taking over the total management of towns and small cities. This not a bipartisan issue --- Republicans have followed the same path. Instead, is this a concerted move by the states to exert power over their cities and towns?
But let's face it. EFMs do not get headlines. Donald Trump does.
Trump, the ex-bankrupt property developer, the entertainer on NBC Television, is apparently considering a run for the Presidency of the USA. And how did Trump make his entrance? He ignored President Obama’s effort to strengthen financial regulation, address the Federal deficit, and provide adequate health care. Instead, his announcement was that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and that he did not write his autobiography, Dreams from My Father”.
I would have loved to have Obama take a swipe at Trump by alleging that The Donald's wigmaker is working overtime to grey the man’s hair and give him gravitas. Instead, the President appeared on Oprah, producing his birth certificate. Trump, meanwhile, took refuge behind his TV show, "The Apprentice", declaring that he cannot say if he is really running for President while the programme is on-air. His NBC patrons are helping him out by standing mute.
How is it that a buffoon like Trump can be taken seriously? The same question could be asked about Sarah Palin, but she is beginning to look like Einstein compared to Trump.
Maybe I’m missing something. Is there a silly season in the US Presidential campaign? Are Americans meant to have a good laugh at the antics of the contenders before the serious stuff starts?
I hope so. The Republican Party does have serious contenders for high office. To name only one non-Trump person who give Obama a run for his money next year: Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Pawlenty was a successful two-term governor and has centrist views will attract votes from both parties. His major problems are that he is considered "Charisma Lite" and that he will have little or no appeal to “the base”, who now seem to be represent the extreme right-wing of the Republican Party.
And what of the Tea Party in 2012? I believe most American voters will see sense in refusing to support a movement that stands for nothing except “No", has no viable policies to resolve America’s problems except “Cut Spending”, and bleats an ideology of “Taking America Back”, basing its appeal on fear and “uncertainty”. Is this truly what American voters seek from their leaders?
I hope that serious politics will soon return front and centre to America’s life. In the meantime, I shall continue to enjoy my road trip down to Miami Beach as I listen to classical American music. I’m currently humming, “That’s the Way Country Boys Roll".
And I'm thinking of Donald Trump when I hear, "You Ain’t Much Fun Since I Stopped Drinkin’”.