Sarah Palin's Whacky World

When I think of the word ‘empire’ and all that is associated with it, a lot of different images and concepts come to mind. Being a bit of a romanticist, they generally have to do with things like a strong military, economic power, scientific progress and development, assertive and mature foreign policy. Perhaps the most essential image for empire though, is the leader. When you picture Rome a young Caesar, perhaps even a Marcus Aurelius, comes to mind. Britain would likely have you imagine Queens Victoria and Elizabeth and so on. There is always a certain sense of the right strengths to undertake the task of ruling such vast empires from people of strong character.

Now, the United States has experienced a sort of empire for multiple decades now, being one of two empires that remained since World War II and, until China’s recent rise in power and influence, the sole ‘superpower’ in existence following the collapse of the USSR. Pretend for a moment they are leaderless, without Obama at the helm, and have a bit of an imagine...done? Good. Now whoever you pictured, as the head of state for the world’s main power, replace with Sarah Palin. You just felt your stomach turn didn’t you? And I’ll bet you didn’t have any under-cooked Heff meat.

Sarah Palin, America’s darling of the moment, is really stirring the pot of politics in the US. She is attacking Democrats as well as senior Republican leadership in her bid to galvanize an incredibly passionate grass-roots movement, as well as establish herself as...erm...something.

You see, the issue is that she doesn’t really appear to have a strong enough grasp of the qualities for leading the US, like knowing for instance that it is South Korea, NOT North Korea, who are their allies. But at the same time, she has a gift for the gab and has shown that she genuinely knows how to connect with middle class America; at least those that like to shoot and say folksy things anyways.

The problem is the system in the States. People are either fiery about politics and stick to their base, or are independents and getting tired with the polarization of their political system. So when someone who has genuine appeal comes along and appears to be a straight-shooter – who also drops the gloves with both parties – then they have a great possibility of doing very well. The thing with Mrs. Palin is that what she says doesn’t have to be accurate or responsible, as long as she is passionate and throws in a little twang with her voice, she’s good to go.

That’s called populism and it tends to work in democracies, even in Canada, which is a bit of a shame really. The same reality that allows for kids to lose student council elections because of one spectacle or token promise is that same that sees the capable lose to those who pander to the masses. Ideally, we would be seeking statesmen and women for office, not glorified street performers with the same capacity for grasping political realities as the girls on The Hills. As a matter of fact, I would even like to have a go at Mrs. Palin and think I would be able to field questions with intelligent responses better suited for office than she could – unless of course she decided to know the difference between rhetoric and reality.

Just a thought here, but maybe we should ask more of our elected officials than a resume filled with gun ranges, foreign policy gaffs, knee-jerk right-wing commentary and a bit of folksy sass. George W won campaigns on the basis that he was the guy you’d rather have a beer with. Shouldn’t we instead – and forgive my idealism – ask more of those entrusted with the policy of our nations? I mean, I would think that someone with strong credentials, goals and objectives aimed at the greater good is more important than the guy you’d rather have a beer with. Because if quality time over a beer is all that it comes down to, then a few of me mates are looking strong contenders for Prime Minister’s Office in the next election.