I was watching the last part of The American President, the movie starring Michael Douglas and Annette Benning. It began to make me think about the idea of the passionate president, the man who goes out and says what he feels and lets the chips fall where they may. We love that idea, don’t we. We think it would be refreshing to hear a politician come out and say exactly what they mean and do exactly what they say they will do. It stirs our hearts. It makes us go “Right on. I may not agree with him, but I like him for telling the truth.” We watch these movies and wish our politicians were more like that. One day we we would like a politician to have a speech dedicated to what they believe, not what we want to hear. At least for the few minutes after the movie is over.
In real life, what do we want? We want politicians to pander to our every whims. We want a candidate that will say, “I’ll give you a tax break.” rather than the politician that says, “It is tough but we can get through this.” No, in real life we want someone that will tell us exactly what we want to hear. We want someone who can attack their opponent the best. The person that can paint the worst picture about the opposition.
The myth we hold dear is the very image we run from in real life. What would happen if a candidate told us everything they believe, with no hidden agenda? They would never be president. That is the world we live in today. Unfortunately, today, the line that can get you elected is “Ask not what you can do for your country, but what can your country do for you?”
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