I try to remain interested in politics. After all, I’m technically one of those smiling, engaged seniors as seen on TV, pedaling madly through the commercials for Viagra and Lipitor. I’m active, yes, active as hell and way too young to be jaded by the field of presidential contenders for 2012. Then Donald Trump starts dominating the airwaves and I realize it’s all just a big freaking joke. Inevitably, all of America has become a reality show and we’re powerless to change the channel.
There were times when Sarah Palin was the joke. Now Donald Trump comes along and makes her look like Mahatma Gandhi. The man and his peculiar hair are everywhere. To hear Donald Trump tell it, there is nothing Donald Trump doesn’t know. He has looked into every aspect of every problem and has formulated solutions to those problems. On China, for example: “They don’t have the cards. We have the cards.” On the economy: “What do they know, the economists? Most of them are not very smart.”
There is something about this man that makes me wistful for Charlie Sheen. Yes, Charlie Sheen is also a horse’s ass and also dominated news coverage for way too long, but as far as I know he did not presume to lead anybody but himself into the abyss. He’s always seemed quite content to go it alone. Crazed celebrities are one thing; crazed billionaires pretending to be statesmen are quite another. Trump sees everybody but himself as a sucker. Since the polls now show him leading the GOP pack, I’d say he’s at least partially right.
It’s not Trump who’s dangerous. He’ll never be elected president and he knows it. But those people putting him at the top of the polls: That’s something to worry about.
I try to avoid the conversation of politics. I tend to suspect talking to a wall is more productive than trying to reason with someone who’s already made up their mind. Maybe I’m just a sissy. Maybe I’m wise beyond my years for not expending the energy. In any case, I’ve watched this Trump thing growing and as you say, fear more about the fact people who speak in coherent sentences actually support him. Even if you strip away the circus and only look at the fact he’s made and lost millions by being a business man and taking risks…is our country and military really something we want a man to gamble with? Risk taking is appreciated in business. I’m not convinced it is wise in politics…not to this extent. Your assertion that America is a reality show is very apt.
Fantastic post. A pleasure to read.