A Relevant Movie For Today

Last night my human was in tears and frustrated.  A project she was working on just wouldn’t come together.  After a few back and forth emails with a friend, she decided to let the matter go, sit back and relax with a good movie.  It is the relevance of the movie to today’s political climate that struck me, a dog, and I feel the need to talk about it.

The movie was “State of the Union” starring Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn and Angela Lansbury.  I was amazed at how Angela’s character, a newspaper magnate, was determined to make her choice for POTUS the Republican nominee and therefore, President.  Nothing would stop her machinations in getting what she wanted.  She chose the politicians that would “bring him around” to the party line and get him the “delegates” needed to win the nomination.

I realize the movie is a dramatization, but think about it just a moment.  Most writers are inspired by something they’ve seen or heard.  Somewhere the author of the story witnessed the lengths the media of the day would go to in their attempts to control the political climate.  Isn’t that what we are seeing with today’s media insisting that Mitt Romney is the only republican candidate that can beat Obama? 

“Candi, isn’t what she’s doing in this movie the same sort of thing that they’re doing today?  When Spencer Tracy spoke from his heart, the people responded and that terrified ‘those in charge’.  Isn’t that what they did to Sarah Palin and Herman Cain?”

“Good point, Shasta.  In 2008, the media did everything within its power to make her look inept.  The GOP did everything in its power to make her ‘toe the line’ and, in doing so, thus gave the White House to Obama.  If the people had been allowed to hear ‘the truth’, we may have seen a different outcome.”

“So how do we take that power away from the media and politicians?” I asked.

“We (the people) have to be louder than the media, Shasta.  We have to use the power of the ‘new media’ and spread the word about conservative candidates on all levels of government.  We have to stand up and tell them what we think, just like Katherine’s character did in the movie.  Just like the ‘grip’ at the end who asked, ‘Are you any different than them?’  We have to decide that we will no longer allow the media and D.C. tell us who to vote for or why,” Candi said.

Although movies are “entertainment” and “dramatizations”, if you actually pay attention to the plot and sub-plots, you can learn something.  You can see the truth that no one wants to face.  You just have to look.  I would ask each of you to consider watching “State of the Union”, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, and “Meet John Doe”.  Each addresses the power of the media and the political machines that are still prevalent in today’s society.  I would ask that you not only watch and listen to the movies, but that you look at them with an open mind to see if you can come to the same conclusions that we came to.  That today’s media and political elite are STILL trying to dictate to us, the people, WHO to vote for.

Politicians Are Like Dogs In The Pound

Now I know that most people have visited their local pound once or twice to adopt an animal.  So you will understand exactly what I'm saying.  When you go to the pound, you look for an animal that is cute, lovable and reaches out to you.  Unfortunately, when people choose an animal, they often forget that the cute little puppy or kitten will eventually grow up.  This creates a problem later on down the road, because the adult animal may not have the temperament you thought it had, OR it may end up being bigger than what you thought when it was small.  Aren't politicians like that?

When Dems are campaigning, they give us platitudes and ideas that SOUND really good.  They even make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.  A Dem is really good at suggesting they are going to "reduce" the deficit or debt while stating what they're going to "give" you.  But...just like that cute little puppy, they grow!  And all of a sudden, you're faced with a gigantic beast that requires a lot more "food" than you thought.  I discussed this idea with my human, and I decided that if more people would take a little time to ask questions....some of these Dems would end up staying in the pound!

"Shasta," Candi began, "I have adopted and/or rescued many animals in my time.  One thing I've learned is to ask questions about the breeding of the animal.  For example, I want to know what kind of mix a puppy is before I take it so that I can do research and estimate what it's needs may be.  I adopt the same attitude with government.  I do research on politicians, what they stand for, how they've voted on past issues and how many times they've voted in direct violation of their campaign promises.  More people need to take this attitude.  If they did, maybe we wouldn't have some of the problems in this country that we currently have."

"Well why don't they?" I asked.

"We like to feel warm and fuzzy.  And it's easier for us to take the word of someone else than it is for us to check it out ourselves."

So here is my advice.  Treat every Dem, and even Republicans, like a dog in the pound.  Do your research, ask questions, and then decide which animal would suit your ideas and needs best.  I'd be willing to bet that we'll see a lot more Dems left in the pound than Republicans.

My Thoughts On Obama's Job Speech

Tonight my human tuned into POTUS' job speech while chatting live with her fellow Smart Girls and Guys on SGP.  I, as usual, turned my back on Obama because I just can't stand to look at him.  I do, however, wish to share my thoughts about the speech with you.

Once again, TOTUS did all the work!  Of course, TOTUS is the hardest working member of the Congress!  Still, it seemed someone had coached POTUS on how to put inflections into his voice.  This did not make him any more interesting to listen to, but at least I didn't hear the normal monotone.

POTUS once again blamed the rich for not paying their fair share and even once mentioned Warren Buffet by name.  Those in attendance seemed bored with this rhetoric.  They should be bored.  POTUS said absolutely nothing that they hadn't heard before.  Biden looked very uncomfortable and Boehner should be awarded an Oscar for not laughing at the same old ridiculous content!

Nothing he said was new.  Although this was expected, I have to wonder....he blames big business, the rich, Congress, Republicans and TEA partiers on a regular basis, when is he going to blame the K-9 population?  Seriously!  After asking Candi, I have confirmed that I do not pay my fair share!  According to her, I contribute absolutely nothing to society.  Yet we have been left out of the blame game that POTUS likes to play!

POTUS also never said how he is going to pay for his new jobs plan.  Candi figures it will once again come out of the pockets of small business.  He also wants more regulations that will stifle small business.  So...how is small business supposed to pay if they are in bankruptcy due to all the regulations?

Now, I know I'm just a dog, but even I know that nothing that POTUS said made any sense at all!  Tonight's speech was nothing more than a campaign speech and he abused his power as President by asking for a joint session of Congress!  More taxpayer money wasted so that he could give a campaign speech!  Ughhh...

"Candi," I began, "Would you please take me to D.C. so I can bite that moron on the bum?  Maybe then he'll get a grip on reality and Americans can move forward!"

"I'm packing now, Shasta!"

Please excuse me now while I do a happy dance at getting to do something useful and contribute to society!!!!