Larry David on Why He (and I) Hate This Election
My kids have always accused me of being just like Larry David, except without his money or talent. I am proud at the comparison. I love Larry David, or, at least the character he plays on CYE.
But now I know that he and I are totally in synch because neither one of us can stand this election anymore. We are nervous all the time. We can't enjoy reading the news, except those stories we carefully self-censor to avoid any possibility of scaring ourselves into worrying that maybe California or Illinois are slipping away.
It is no fun. And I've enjoyed every other previous Presidential election I've lived through. They have all been like great games. Whether you win or you lose, you have to watch. Not this election. I watch this like my parents must have watched World War II. We will probably win but, if we don't, we're dead.
I feel bad not enjoying this. Casting a vote for Barack Obama will be the best vote I've ever cast for any office and, in fact, voting for Barack Obama will be one of the greatest things I've ever done in my whole life.
That's why it's so scary, because his victory would be so colossally great. And, when it comes to us baby boomers, we have neither experienced -- nor ever expected to experience -- any election that has been colossally great (although a few were okay).
Read Larry here.
Not fun any more?! You mean it sometimes is fun for you? I haven't enjoyed this election since at least February or March. I don't think it's just this one either. Apparently, I just plain hate elections.
An election season is to me like a non-stop shit storm of rampant dishonesty and pure, stinking intellectual crap. Every word is and must be chosen for its estimated partisan impact, and inanities pile on top of inanities so rapidly that it becomes impossible to get in touch with reality and truth. People's minds are reduced to their lowest, basest levels of cunning animal intelligence, and higher intellectual functioning goes out the window. It's ugly, stupid and depressing.
Unfortunately, election seasons are getting longer and longer. It's like we only get a couple of months now to think and discuss issues intelligently, like rational human beings, in the gaps between the madhouse insanity of the permanent election.
I feel revolted all the time, and can barely stand it. On the other hand, the stakes seem so significant that I have feel I have no moral choice but to continue to participate, and add my own stupid, idiotic words wherever they can be effective. It's extremely painful. My inner core begs me to withdraw, decompress, meditate and purify my mind. But my conscience tells me I must keep going. And my conscience is supported by sheer addiction to the nerve-wracking spectacle.
To me, you sound like a soldier in Iraq saying, "This war is no fun anymore. Why can't I enjoy it?"
October 23, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not fun any more?! You mean it sometimes is fun for you? I haven't enjoyed this election since at least February or March.
I concur. More precisely, for me, it was just before the Texas primary when Hillary realized her campaign was in deep shit and went nasty. Hm, now let me think, who else's campaign does THAT sound like?
October 23, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who would have thought you had a sense of humor, MJ? The real fun starts in January when we get to preside over a depression and a retreat from the Middle East that will probably end in war between Israel and Iran.
October 23, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ, you're definitely Larry David-deep in neurosis if you're fretting over California slipping away. Back up from the ledge, man.
October 23, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a joke!
October 23, 2008 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't get so excited . . . just think about the abject disappointment you felt the last two times.
That wasn't so bad, was it? Wait, uh, never mind . . .
October 23, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ,
here's an aspect of this election that I see;
If Obama wins, it might signal the death knell for the ability of the Republicans to use racism in future elections.
October 23, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never experienced an election that was colossally great? Really? My parents campaigned for JFK and swept us all into the experience. When the votes were finally tallied very late into the night and Nixon had conceded, Mom woke us all up like it was Christmas morning. One of my favorite childhood memories. This will be almost as awesome except that the folks aren't here to see it. But they would have loved it.
October 23, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am fortunate to have voted in the JFK election, my first. But this election is still the most important one of my lifetime. Like new10 upthread, I have not enjoyed it since the Clintons went negative. I hate it when people say it's going to be a blowout, because I'm so afraid there are enough people in the country who will believe the slime their campaign is spewing.
I haven't watched cable or network news for months except I peek out from my blanky from time to time to see what Olberman or Maddow is saying. I rush past Fox news like it carries the plague when I'm channel surfing and watch mindless reruns of CSI Miami and NCIS to keep my mind off the elephant (yes that one) in the living room. It's a nightmare and I hope I wake from it come November 5.
You're not alone, MJ - if that's any comfort.
October 23, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is.
October 23, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
....Obama is now measuring the curtains and ACCEPTING CVs (and resumes).
In the meantime, the fun does continue like the energizer bunny......McCain continues to shout out to the Independents of an Obama hidden Liberal agenda on taxes and reform; and some outspoken in various posting sites of a 'Black' over 'White' preferences in education and economic opportunities; come January 20, 2009, that's why we should really call it the "Black House" according to some Republicans and Blue Dogs Dems(look for some nasty political fights in the House and Senate next year). Moderate Dems hope and want Obama to lead as a Bill Clinton Centrist. And the Left wants an Obama government to take a leading role in expanding its powers on the courts, education and economic reconstruction.
October 24, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink