Is This Politics or a Reality Show? My Frustrated Account of Election Year So Far

     
As a senior, the last time I voted in a presidential election was when I was an 18-year-old teeny bopper, freshly moved into Towers and more pumped that Election Day was on my birthday than anything else. I remember I kept saying, “My birthday is historic,” with my typical shrug and a smirk. So, this time around with 3 and ½ years of college education under my belt, and with majors in Sociology and Communications, I thought it was my duty to be influenced more through an understanding of the candidates and our economic situation than by a killer slogan and captivating face.

     Yes, I thought I was prepared. I was ready to follow the primaries from here on out! What I wasn’t prepared for were four emotional/psychological stages brought upon me during this presidential year. And it’s only just begun…

Stage 1: Hopeful Interest.

     I would read the news, watch a few videos, and I would be set. In no time I would have a clear understanding of who stood for what and be able to articulate the reasons I favored one candidate over another confidently. I was sadly mistaken.

     Not a huge fan of televised news, mostly due to lack of time and my impatience-caused-dread of commercials every 3 minutes, I turned mostly to newspapers, websites, and my handy dandy iPhone with NY Times & NPR apps that I could peruse through over the course of each day. I now know I was naïve to believe this would solidify my thoughts on much of anything political.

     After learning enough to decipher the insults the GOP candidates throw at one another on a daily basis, chuckle at the campaign ads by the PACs, and become agitated at some of the idiocracy these ‘leaders’ showcased proudly (sadly often followed by loud cheers), I began to feel like I was wasting my time. Why follow this rhetorical garbage? It’s a total circus; a performance; a competition of who can gain the most money, public speak most poetically, or throw the most detrimental insults. This was….

Stage 2: Impatience, susceptible for distraction.

     Enter the Colbert Report. Yes, I became sidetracked by Stephen. Can you blame me? In any case, he gave me the motivation I needed to continue to follow the primaries; that motivation being my delight in watching him, understanding the punch lines, and cracking up. It was love. However, there is something else that can be gained from watching him. I realize he is no politician, nor is he a journalist. He is a comedian. But he has the power and ability to highlight some of the most absurd laws, structures, and regulations within our nation, particularly pertaining to elections. I’d recommend him if you’re looking to find a way to get interested in the primaries. Anyway, this was my stage 2. While this stage continues on, reminders of my 1^st step and the whole reason I began following the primaries in the first place hit me, making me feel a little bit guilty, or a little disappointed, or maybe both.

Stage 3: Confused Disappointment.

     Between my curiosity, my classes which require me to follow the national and international news, and now my new love of Stephen, I’ll keep following. However, it can be a little dismaying considering we should all be voting come November. I don’t have much faith in anyone right now, including Obama.  Is this any one person’s fault? Definitely not. That would be an easy fix. This is a lot more complicated than that, I’m afraid.                 

     I’m not here to plug my own political beliefs or argue to change anyone’s minds on deep-rooted decisions that will be unlikely to change ever anyway.  However, whatever side you stand on, you might agree that those in power and their audiences (Us) get easily side tracked from the prevalent issues that need to be addressed, understood, and critically solved. We often tend to focus on entertaining or controversial debates like it is some sort of a reality show, tuning in to see arguments based on strong religious beliefs and attacks against the chaotic personal lives of those politically involved.  At a time when the inequality gap is growing wider and, by its very definition separating us as a nation, shouldn’t we be focused on fixing, or at least addressing this? ( P.S. Dear Romney, just because the Occupy movement said it first and/or the loudest does NOT mean that they are creating this separation, silly goose). I suppose that is the bigger problem right there. By not addressing the real structural problems, we create short term fixes; slap a BandAid on a flesh wound and say, “All better. Come back anytime.”

     
Instead of spending time usefully, we point fingers, accuse, go on hypocritical tangents, and interview ex-wives/girlfriends/mistresses… whatever. Not saying this isn’t all extremely entertaining. But, should it be cracking us up, causing uncontrollable tweeting about Newt and his #PlayaWays? Eh. This is probably not the best sign for our ‘democratic’ country.                  
                            
     Am I just another hypocrite like the rest of them? Complaining how big of a joke this all seems to be, while tuning into Stephen Colbert each week to laugh myself? Sure. But, hey doesn’t that mean I’m getting the hang of politics? Maybe I am learning after all.

Stage 4: Temporary Acceptance, then Repeat.