Traditionally, Washington D.C. breathes a sigh of relief as August rolls around, with Congress on break and the scorching summer temperatures driving people towards cooler retreats. Usually, the media’s attention is turned towards beach-side escapades and shark sightings. Not this year though. A peculiar obsession has taken hold of a few media outlets, an obsession with the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee. Just eight months into the current term, they seem hell-bent on thrusting us into speculative ramblings about an election years away.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris seems to have played into this needless conjecture by making quite a spectacle of proclaiming that she has no intention to run for the governorship of California, nor will she pursue another presidential run. According to Harris, her hands are tied by a ‘broken system’. It’s intriguing how this ‘broken system’ narrative only seems to surface when things don’t go as planned for Democrats.
For numerous people, politics has morphed into a kind of deified abstract, one akin to the false idols mentioned in the Old Testament. Much like these fallacious gods that universally let down their worshippers, the deification of politics continues unabated, despite the unfulfillment of countless pledges. If, as Harris implies, ‘the system’ is shattered beyond repair, isn’t it primarily due to the fact that we’ve burdened the government with responsibilities it was never designed to shoulder?
The current administration, in its stumbling, haphazard way, seems to be making attempts at correcting these overburdened infrastructures. Yet, the faith of the electorate still seems misplaced, possibly due to their deeply misguided understanding of where trust should be anchored.
The wisdom of C.S. Lewis, in his acclaimed work ‘The Screwtape Letters’, shines a light on this misconception. Lewis paints a scenario where ‘Wormwood’, a novice demon, is guided by ‘Uncle Screwtape’ (aka Satan) to distract his ‘patient’ (aka us) from the intentions of ‘the enemy’ (aka God).
Harris could gain profound insights from acquainting herself with this passage. Her rationale that a ‘broken system’ is responsible for her electoral misfortunes and her decision to forego future political pursuits is fundamentally flawed. Lewis reminds us, through Wormwood, that the individual’s obsession with the political sphere, endless debates, political tittle-tattle, and the relentless nitpicking of unfamiliar people’s faults are superb contrivances for keeping their attention off their personal growth and the elements of life that are within their control. Wormwood is urged to keep his ‘patient’ in a perpetual state of exasperation and disdain towards humanity.
Further instructions to Wormwood dictate that the ‘patient’ should maintain a sense of anxiety and resentment towards the rest of the human population. This effectively staves off the development of love or peace within oneself. The ‘patient’ should remain deluded that the root of their problems is externalized in the ‘broken system’, masking the true trouble that lies within themselves.
An analysis of our human condition by the great playwright William Shakespeare offers a complementary perspective. In ‘Julius Caesar’, Act 1, Scene 2, Cassius expresses to Brutus: ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.’ Cassius makes clear that our lot in life is not governed by fate or destiny. Instead, it is our choices, guided by our beliefs and worldview, that are the results of our actions
Imagine the effect if political leaders were to borrow from the wisdom of luminaries like Lewis and Shakespeare. What would happen if they told voters: ‘I can’t do more for you than you can do for yourselves.’? The populace, addicted to politics and the erroneous impression of ‘the system’, might soon disabuse their illusions, particularly about lifelong politicians.
The seduction of politics seems peculiarly powerful, and many have acquiesced to it, neglecting to perceive the true nature of its hold. Yet as Shakespeare advises us, the roots of our problems lie not in our stars or systems but in ourselves, in the choices we make and the value systems by which we navigate our world.
Instead of expecting the system or politicians to solve all their problems, voters should look inward and explore the changes they can effect in and around themselves. Political rhetoric and blaming the system serve as convenient distractions from personal development and societal change that we can instigate.
The misguided adulation for career politicians needs to be reconsidered. Political careers should not be built on false promises and deflection of blame. Instead of fueling these narratives, politicians should encourage citizens to be empowered and take responsibility.
Fingers point at the system for being ‘broken’ when desirable outcomes are not achieved. We see this clearly in Harris’s withdrawal from future political races under the veil of blaming a broken system. However, the stark reality is that our issues are more ingrained and personal.
The political spectacle seems to distract many from the salient aspects of personal virtues, character, and control. And while politicians like Harris attribute their failures to external factors, it’s essential to examine this belief critically.
Drawing from literary wisdom, like that of Shakespeare and Lewis, can guide us towards healthier political discourse. Encouraging personal responsibility and self-motivation over reliance on political figures can shift paradigms and slay the false ‘gods’ of politics.
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