Obamanation

Hello, again.

Well, it has been quite some time since my last post. So much time, in fact, that I am surprised google did not delete my blogger profile. And although my unforgivable lapse during the past few months can be explained by only vague ramblings on school, college apps, extra-curriculars, et. al., my return this night can definitely be attributed to a single event: the accession of Barack Obama to the Presidency elect of the United States of America.

Certainly, this night of excitement has put in me a new energy, vigor for the political genre, and so I attack my keyboard, even so late at night. Alongside this excitement, though, follows the sulking question of "why." Why do I care, or why am I even excited? I don't know.

For at least eight months now, I have been a die-hard supporter of almost everything Ron Paul. . .


. . . and even wrote in his name in the general election last Friday. And so, understandably, I had little hope in actually having my candidate winning. (Actually, I still have difficulty defending my decision pragmatically.) I came quickly to my decisions on the two candidates -- Obama and McCain -- several months ago.

McCain, although talking about small government and equality of opportunity, was speaking very little about what I thought needed to be changed most in government. He has barely a record in defending the individual against the state, votes antithetically to basic Libertarian stances on the War on Drugs, the War on Terror, and the tyranny of the banks, and (honestly) carries himself in an almost conniving way around any room. Obama, although more likable in disposition and percieved intelligence, views America through an (apparently) very different lens than I do. His populistic approach to politics, albeit effective, leaves much to be desired in academic discussion.

And, believe me, there should be academic discussion as well as practical discussion on all of our problems. There can be no great government without a government that does "the right thing," which is to say, very little.

And so, again, I ask: why am I excited? Perhaps it is because this is the first national election in which I am engaged. Or maybe it is because I see the potential for politics in the next four years. No. I like to think of the entire thing as a massive, unstoppable and tragic, train wreck. I don't like what I am seeing, but, by God, it sure is something to look at. Yes, that seems the best fit to my excitement this evening. Surely, there can be no better entertainment than the epic failure of a nation and people held up to the highest of democratic standards as it falls -- not in terror, but in euphoria -- for the candidate of Change, of American altruism: Barack H. Obama.

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November the Fourth, Two Thousand Eight

And so there was a time in which all of America waited in awe in front of their flashing TV screens, snuggling with family, as they hoped, dreamed, and maybe even prayed for the selfish little wish in their head: that their idea, THEIR man, shall reign supreme nationally.

My expreience with election night is perhaps different from many. I still don't know exactly if I would have preferred either one. So I sat and watched as Wolff Blitzer projected states for Barack or McCain based on little more than 6% or 13% of votes; listened to the musings of Anderson as he laughed in his little way, looked back at his colleagues, and waited for the sound byte; and thought about what it all meant for me. It didn't matter. Or, at least not compared to the passion so many felt elsewhere.

Facebook must have had more hits tonight than in many months past. Talking to others about the results, I realized how strongly some felt about their candidates, and how much more strongly they felt about the opposition. Antichrist, socialist, warmonger, elitist. These are dirty words, full of meaning and devoid of definite substance, like poetry by Cummings or maybe the Holy Communion. Certainly this is what everyone derives their "election night excitement" from, but I just sat laughing.

"In this country, we rise and fall as one nation" -Barack Obama, President Elect of the United States of America, Nov. 4, 2008.

Just the line I was looking for.

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Democracy, what art thou?

Democracy has always only been recognized as the ideal government by Marxists and the ignorant. Rule by the people is, in fact, not only no better than rule by a tyrant, but actually worse, in the assumption (always found to be true) that the people know less than a single leader could. Mob rule is only another cloak for the mastery of the indivudual by society, and democracy is the fullest incarnation of such travesty. What makes democracy so dangerous, though, is that most people hold it in the highest regard, above any and all principles. "It is the will of the people."

Although many recognize the power of people over government as foundational to a strong society, many do not, can not, differentiate between governor and the governed. Government, even if democratic and "by the people," will always be against the people in its most basic roots. Society IS great because of people, but precisely because the individual action of people, voluntary and in good will, towards a better future. Democracy submits the individual to higher authority no less than the worst dictator if truly carried out.

The worst submission, though, beyond economic or political or educational, is moral. How can you possibly know better than I on how I should run my life? How is it that you, a mob, can direct morality? Your basis is purely altruistic and consequentialist. What morality. There can be NO morality in government, least of all in democratic government. All there can be is a subjugation to a "higher good" decide upon based on limited information by limited intelligence for (presumably) a limited benefit. Pah! Democracy!

I must, apoligize, though, about my current, uncalled-for rant on democracy. I do not wish, however, to mend this wound I have struck in the democratic ideal. Not at this time. It would do better for all if we can let rot for a while the utopian principle of democracy, to let it gather dirt and fester in distress, and to finally stitch it up when the time comes, sutures strattling beaten, deflated democracy. For the role of government should always be under men, even and especially democracy.

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What Happens Next

I was going to have this final section dedicated to moving forward, from the election and to a new America, despite what others may have decided for me. However, I would rather just take a break and post what I have for your pleasure. Never fear, though, as the final part of my commentary will be up shortly.


Brandon

PS: I would greatly appreciate all scathing criticism, threats, and general insults to my intelligence.