Various cable news channels have been organizing focus groups, usually consisting of 12-15 people in places such as Iowa and New Hampshire, the locales of the first caucus and primary in February 2016.
There is no claim that these focus groups are truly representative of how the mass citizenry feels, anymore than all of the many public opinion polls.
What does come out of these focus groups, however, is a general feeling of disgust with government; failure to understand how government works; and a desire to “throw the rascals out”, and replace them with people who have zero experience in running a government that is responsible to its citizenry.
In no other profession or field of work do we have people wanting totally inexperienced individuals to take over as total “rookies”, and gamble that they will know what they are doing, and adapt to the realities of domestic and foreign affairs.
This is an indication of the total lack of knowledge, experience, and reality of what it is to run a government that serves 320 million people, which is a very complex undertaking.
There is the myth, widespread and dangerous, that government can be run as a business; that one can be ignorant of the facts and the history of our country and other nations; and somehow those who come in to power without background can “wing” it through every issue and crisis that arises.
This is very dangerous, and the ignorance and over simplification of government and its responsibilities by a large number of the population is alarming.
We may not like to understand the truth that government must tax; that there is no “free ride”; that when one earns more income, he or she has a responsibility to pay more taxes; that government cannot always do what the people want, as often, they have no clue as to the complexities of domestic and foreign policy; that tough decisions must be made; and that experience and knowledge really do matter.
Instead, we have those who could be called demagogues, who appeal to the fears and insecurities of a population which too often thinks that these people with no experience and no understanding can create magic and solve all issues, but life is not that easy and simplified.
To believe that Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Dr. Benjamin Carson are qualified to lead our country means that those who promote this are totally deluded and living in a parallel universe.
Terrific insights Ron! I have read some other columns of yours in which you praise Jon Huntsman, whose experience is probably the best match with the qualifications for President, and agree that nothing, be it intelligence, charisma or innate leadership ability demonstrated in other ways, replaces such experience.
Thanks, Bob.
Unfortunately, many so called intelligent people seem to think that anyone can be President, and we learned the hard way with such examples as Warren G. Harding and George W. Bush for the Presidency and Spiro Agnew and Dan Quayle for the Vice Presidency how dangerous a belief that is!
“I have on occasion remarked that I felt confident that I could persuade a millionaire on a Friday to subsidize a revolution for Saturday out of which he would make a huge profit on Sunday even though he was certain to be executed on Monday.” Saul Alinsky. This is in essence the ACA. Insurance companies support it, for a profit via mandate, only to make way for single payer. “Obama learned his lesson well.” L. DAVID ALINSKY (son of Saul Alinksy)- Because a community organizer is qualified to be President, correct? Give me a break. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2008/08/31/son_sees_fathers_handiwork_in_convention/
“ALL THE elements were present: the individual stories told by real people of their situations and hardships, the packed-to-the rafters crowd, the crowd’s chanting of key phrases and names, the action on the spot of texting and phoning to show instant support and commitment to jump into the political battle, the rallying selections of music, the setting of the agenda by the power people. The Democratic National Convention had all the elements of the perfectly organized event, Saul Alinsky style.
Barack Obama’s training in Chicago by the great community organizers is showing its effectiveness. It is an amazingly powerful format, and the method of my late father always works to get the message out and get the supporters on board. When executed meticulously and thoughtfully, it is a powerful strategy for initiating change and making it really happen. Obama learned his lesson well.
I am proud to see that my father’s model for organizing is being applied successfully beyond local community organizing to affect the Democratic campaign in 2008. It is a fine tribute to Saul Alinsky as we approach his 100th birthday.”
L. DAVID ALINSKY
Medfield
Ariel, you fear Saul Alinsky., who is given too much credit where it is not at all relevant.
I fear the Koch Brothers and other billionaires, who, because of the Supreme Court, can buy elections and make our political system totally corrupt.
Interesting that this does not disturb you one iota!
Clay Aiken endorses Biden and says that Trump is in it for the long haul.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/08/politics/clay-aiken-joe-biden-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/
Biden’s team has met with DNC officials. http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/politics/joe-biden-dnc-meeting/index.html
Ronald, I do not fear Alinsky nor do I fear the Koch bros. As a matter of fact besides God I actually do not fear any man.So pointing out the evident influence of Alinsky in Obama and the radical left that has taken control of the Democrat Party, is not fear but stating the obvious. And here is the difference between Alinkyites and the Koch Bros., the first rely primarily on deception (see Rules for Radicals) while the second are quite open and frank about what and who they support. And if I were you I wouldn’t worry about them, after all, RINO’s control the party and they have all but once ( with Reagan) imposed their losing candidates for the benefit of the leftist Democrats. And they might do it again.
LOL! The Democratic Party is a center-left party, NOT a far left party.
Many commenters on blogs such CommonDreams.org consider the Democratic Party to be currently center-right.
LOL! The far right (Ariel is an example of their sheeple) currently controls the Republican Party.
LOL! Ariel is sooooo far off to the right that the center now looks left to him.
Of the GOTea presidential candidates, I’m curious who our troll Ariel is rooting for.
Leia
That’s because those commenters are far off to the left of the Democratic Party. They’re usually more interested in third party candidates.