August typically offers respite from the hectic routine of Washington. Congress goes on recess, and the disquieting mix of heat and humidity prompts a rush to cooler locales. Often, the president also enjoys a reprieve in a cooler location and cable news switches attention from politics to shark attacks. But, this August was an exception. Seemingly, some media outlets seemed consumed with predicting the Democratic presidential nominee for the 2028 race. Strange, considering we’re just eight months into the current term and yet predictions for an election seven years away are already surfacing.
Part of the blame, or rather, amusement, can be placed on the ex-Vice President Kamala Harris. Ms. Harris certainly drew her share of attention for stating unequivocally that she will not pursue the post of California’s governor, nor will she seek the presidency again. Oddly, her disclaimer was grounded on her belief that ‘the system is broken.’ One could argue that it’s a recurring trend amongst Democrats to declare the system flawed each time they face defeat.
Given this backdrop, it’s no surprise that politics has started to resemble a false deity, startlingly similar to those entities from the Old Testament that lured followers with false promises, only to let them down. It’s almost as if these modern-day political ‘deities’ are idolized irrespective of their consistent failure to deliver on their pledges. If we delve deeper into Harris’s claim that the ‘system’ is at fault, one cannot ignore that the system is under immense strain due to the unrealistic expectations people place on it.
The existing government is not without its flaws. However, it’s ironic that even as they endeavor to rectify those flaws, a significant number of voters continue to vest faith in unlikely places. This is where C.S. Lewis’s wisdom becomes notably relevant.
In his renowned book ‘The Screwtape Letters,’ Lewis masterfully depicts a demon apprentice ‘Wormwood’ appointed by ‘Uncle Screwtape’ (presumably Satan) to divert his ‘patient’ (us) from the plans of ‘the enemy’ (God). The irony is stark and profound – Harris, who attributes her decision not to contest to a dysfunctional system, would probably benefit from heeding this extract.
Lewis advises to ensure that the ‘patient’ remains absorbed in politics, enamored by political chatter, and fixated on the mistakes of individuals they barely know. This preoccupation serves as an efficient diversion from personal growth, virtue, and managing those aspects within the individual’s control. Maintain an ongoing milieu of distress, aggravation, and contempt towards human kind. This ensures the absence of any charity or tranquility. Make sure the patient continues under the delusion that the problems reside ‘out there’ in the ‘broken system,’ oblivious to the fact that the problem could be inherent.
Shakespeare, in his timeless wisdom, offered his own take on the human predicament. Those with a cursory familiarity of ‘Julius Caesar’ might recall Cassius’s words in Act 1, Scene 2: ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.’ These profound words poignantly underline that our fate is dictated not by our stars or destiny, but by our own actions – actions swayed by our beliefs and the worldviews we hold dear.
Just envision if politicians echoed sentiments akin to Lewis and Shakespeare, conveying to the electorate, ‘I can’t do more for you than you can do for yourselves.’ In an environment where a disproportionate number of individuals are entranced by politics and ‘the system,’ this kind of rhetoric might result in a swift voting out of career politicians, who are particularly noted for an insatiable appetite for power.
Interestingly, Harris’s dismissal of ‘the system’ as broken falls conveniently after her decision not to campaign for office again. One can’t help but question this insinuation – does her absence from the race equate to an implied admittance of failure? Or is it easier to blame a ‘broken system’ than to face the reality that sometimes, the candidate might be the problem and not the politics?
In the current scenario, Republicans are making extensive efforts to correct the perceived flaws of the ‘broken system.’ Still, Democrats like Harris continue to maintain their impious faith in the malfunctioning political machine. It’s as if they’re willing to ignore the evidence and continue in their misdirection, regardless of the long-term damage to the nation’s political landscape.
What the Democrats constantly fail to realize is that it’s not always about the system, but often about the individual and the choices they make. The ‘fault’ isn’t always in the ‘broken system,’ but frequently in the politicians themselves, who forget their duty to serve the people, instead focusing on consolidating their own power. This is an absurd dichotomy that only serves to further divide the nation and stall any progress towards a better future.
In conclusion, the world of politics serves as an intense stage where truth and morality are often challenged. The blame on ‘broken systems’ is an easy refuge for those unable to shoulder responsibilities or accept mistakes.
While one can only hope for the day when politicians begin to mirror the wisdom of literary geniuses like Lewis and Shakespeare, it’s equally important to remember that individuals have as much power to effect change as the politicians they elect to represent them.
The post Kamala Harris Throws Blame – System Broken or Candidate Broken? appeared first on Real News Now.
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