| This is how we do it, California-style |
| “De wereld is om zeep, er gebeuren rare dingen rond om mij.” Translation: WTF. Essentially the main difference between Europe and America; we (Europe) use 12 words to describe a situation, where as you (America – unless you are from Europe, or Asia, or Africa or any other continent) sum it up in a no-nonsense manner. Or do you? Every day we are forced to decide on issues; do I want coffee or tea, shall I wear a blue shirt or white, shall I have another piece of chocolate cake? Important decisions, -frivolous, -life threatening? Maybe, definitely, most likely not. California, for the non-natives of the state or country of which it is part, has always been synonymous with Hollywood, tanned people walking on promenades or adding more color on the beach, blond girls in bikinis, 90210, L.A. and San Francisco. It was the destination of many a immigrant during the past 2 centuries, a land the gave hope to the American Dream. It is where one could make their fortune, or die trying. I have never delved into the politics of the world’s fifth largest economical region, though I distinctly remember wondering what was going on over there when the energy crisis hit a year or so ago. Thus it came to me as a surprise to find that Californians were so unhappy with the state of affairs that they decided to enforce Article 2 of the California Constitution: Voting, initiative and referendum, recall. Today California awoke to the knowledge that Republican Governor Schwarzenegger won, thus bestowing upon him the responsibility to realize those promises he made during his campaign. Promises-made-during-his-campaign. Give me one example of a politician who didn’t promise to “improve the economy, make streets safe, create more jobs, help the poor and the sick… ”, during a campaign? Now give me one example of a politician who made true on his promises? Most politicians running for office have a plan on how to improve the situation the moment they enter office. The have a tax plan, a law plan, a plan on decreasing smog and traffic congestion, to many plans to mention, yet they will mention these plans the moment they make their promises of lowering taxes, putting criminals in jail, etc… Often times these politicians will also have a track-record to prove that their ideas work, that they are more then just promises made on the campaign trail. So can somebody explain to me how an Austrian muscle-man, a Republican married into the greatest Democratic dynasty of America, an A-list actor who can’t act, a legal immigrant who’s grasp of the English actor is but one level higher then the illegal immigrants who were catalyst for the former Governor being ousted, a tenderfoot in the political arena who made many promises yet never shed a light on how he would realize these promises, how such a person managed to win an election? When I heard the news I checked the horizon to see if there were four horsemen eagerly awaiting the trumpets blare, signaling in the Apocalypse. What do the people of Iraq or Afghanistan think about this? These people who are, or will soon, start to experience what democracy is all about, wondering if some charismatic donkey trainer will one day lead them. More importantly; what were Californians thinking yesterday when they exercised their constitutional right? Years ago I won an election by a landslide; I was voted class president in 6th grade. I had no platform, aside from “hi, I am your friend, vote for me!” My tenure was fun, more importantly it didn’t really mean anything as there was no “power” belonging to my seat. No harm was met while I held office, except for Hermy the hermit crab, our classroom pet, who was found dead one morning for reasons still unknown. Sly Stallone made the comment “actors should stick to acting,” which is true enough. But, if you can’t act, should you try to rule? How about if you can’t rule? When will Article 2 of the Californian Constitution be invoked again? Think about the millions of dollars that this election cost, then think about what could have been done with that money had the citizens of California put more pressure on Davis to do a better job. Instead we are subjected to a shift from a political arena into the sports arena. If the home team loses one to many home games then we will just kick out the current coach and appoint a new one, things can’t get any more crappy now can they? I hope that the Governator proves me wrong, that he manages to make true on his promises, opening up the gates for even more talent less actors to take up residency in Capitols around the U.S., Harrison Ford for President? You can imagine his slogan; I am not the President of the United States of America (yet), but I played one on the screen… I hear Ozzy is thinking about becoming chairman of the FCC, seems he doesn’t like ‘m bleeping sounds on ‘is show.... |