Guest Commentary: People Science? A Tea Party in Madison, Wisconsin
When I took my high school civics class here in Lake County, the instructor said, “Sometimes there”s really a Science to Political Science. If you want, try studying it for the rest of your life. You”ll see interesting patterns. But make up your own mind.”
I recall that he wrote these statements on the chalkboard:
1. Candidates will run on a platform of “Change.”
2. They may or may not be specific about what to “Change,” how to “Change,” and what the new “Changes” will look like. Listen carefully!
3. Once the “changes” start to happen, populist uprisings will come from the other side.
4. New “Changes” will be proposed. Listen and watch carefully!
5. Mucho dinero is spent by both parties.
My teacher would say, “My job is to help you understand the Science of Politics. It”s not all BS. And those who say that it is all BS are very likely projecting their own ignorance onto something that they haven”t taken the time to truly understand.”
Then, he”d try to simplify Democrats and Republicans for us high school seniors:
“Democrats want to keep the government out of your bedroom and Republicans want to keep the government out of your wallet.”
Sure, it”s a bit more complicated and a lot less comical than that. But two years ago, a majority of the U.S. voters elected Democrat Barack Obama, who spent 800 million dollars, twice as much as John McCain forked out. Obama was fairly specific, promising over 500 changes. He tried for over a year to do what Bill Clinton did in 1993: Expand the role of government in the health care industry. His Democratic party sought to help cover every one. “Health care should be a right. Most civilized countries cover their people. The Preamble to the Constitution clearly states it ? to Promote the General Welfare,” the Democrats said.
On cue, many Republicans rose up and objected. “This is socialized medicine? Much higher taxes ? Our hospitals will be viewed and treated like some students treat their school cafeteria. Rich people from other countries come to the U.S. for treatment. ” (By the way, my high school had an awesome cafeteria). Republican Senators stalled the vote with filibusters.
Left-wingers called Rush Limbaugh a “big fat idiot.” The Right said, “Oh yeah? What about Michael Moore and his movie Sicko?”
And now, once again, the Political Science is being played out in Madison, Wisconsin, and other state capitols. Many Republicans were voted into office in 2010 on a platform of reducing the size of government. They weren”t that specific about what to cut, except to undo what they labeled “Obamacare.” In Wisconsin, there”s Republican legislation to limit the role of government employee unions, which may reduce state spending and budget deficits. Predictably, it”s the Democrats who are now steamin”.
State Senators of the Left have left the state, stalling the process. And observe the outcry in the Madison capitol rotunda! A new Tea Party of the Left has emerged!
But, unions now have more publicity potential ?The Supreme Court”s recent “Citizen”s United” case gave them (and corporations) expanded free speech rights to spend unlimited money to state their views. Teachers and prison guards will see how some of their union dues are spent.
It all seems somewhat scientifically predictable ? and very interesting. So, there was some interesting truth imparted in high school civics. Political are somewhat predictable. Political Science!
Then again, Mark Twain once said, “If you like sausage and you like democracy; you probably shouldn”t watch either one of them being made.”
If “The King”s Speech” won the Oscar and Bertie got rid of his stutter, why did he still have that funny English accent? For speech lessons in proper English, contact Casey in Soda Bay at nunes_23@hotmail.com.
