Twisting Reality
As published in the Philadelphia Daily
News
August 6, 2008
IT MUST BE called
what it is: political mind control. And they are at it again,
ruthlessly and repetitively. Al Gore was a dishonest bore, and John
Kerry lied about his Vietnam service. Through numbing repetition,
many succumbed to the description of candidate George W. Bush as a
"compassionate conservative."
Although John McCain promised the American people a high-minded
campaign where issues could be rationally debated, this will not be
the case. The new mantra is Barack Obama is arrogant, unprepared and
(are you ready?) playing the race card. Be prepared to hear the
lies, manipulations and distortions in your sleep.
Such political perversion is effective for two prime reasons: We
want to believe our leaders, and those who are corrupt know how to
capitalize on human longing and vulnerabilities so effectively that
they blind us to the truth.
Political crazy-making at its most sinister is executed by those who
understand human vulnerability well and know how to capitalize on
it. Everyone has disappointments, failures, longings and unrealized
dreams. The "unprepared" and "arrogant" labels are pitched at
jealousy about our own unfulfilling or failed relationships as well
as the envy of others' accomplishments that we longed for and didn't
achieve.
Such disappointments can lead to bad choices and decisions. Like the
acceptance of lies about a good candidate, and the decision to
support one who is ill-prepared.
Throughout this campaign, there have been subtle and not-so-subtle
references that Obama's color makes him unelectable - based on the
same ugly exploitation of disappointments and unmet dreams. When
Obama responds, he is labeled the racist. (Of course, if he didn't,
he'd be labeled weak.)
PREJUDICE and racism arise from feelings of lost opportunity and
inferiority. To demean Obama as inexperienced, arrogant, radical or
black is but the cover for: "How dare he have what I don't!"
In his 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton had no idea he was foreshadowing
today's campaign when he contrasted the "same old experience" with
the "right kind . . . rooted in the real lives of real people." "The
same old" Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld led us toward a disastrous
economy, an unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation, thousands of
deaths and world disdain.
Though rooted in accomplishment, it is not a Beltway resume that his
catapulted Obama to prominence. It is, instead, his potential to
fulfill the longings of a discouraged and divided nation and beyond.
His recent trip abroad demonstrated how deeply the world longs one
again for America's trustworthy leadership in an international
brotherhood of rational nations worthy of emulating.
This is an America far too precious to continue to live under
political mind control, its decisions dominated by ruthless
exploitation and lies. *
SaraKay Smullens (www.sarakaysmullens.com), is a clinical social
worker and writer.
Find commentary on this article.
SaraKay Smullens (sarakaysmullens.com), a social
worker and family therapist, writes about social and political
issues.
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