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I love TCM movies. Particularly the ones that star Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart, Sidney Poitier, or Sally Field (Norma Rae) as the everyman hero who stumbles through life until he (or she) is forced by circumstances to take stock of his life and what he believes in. You know the rest, the hero makes a dramatic stand, a dramatic speech and often a dramatic sacrifice. The dramatic speech is always passionate and noble. Many of the other characters see the error of their ways, tears are shed, the bad guys are pushed to the shadows and the world is a better place. Music plays, and the credits roll. I LOVE that stuff. Those movies make me feel good, because they reassure me that most of us when nudged in the right direction, can be better than we are.
It occurs to me that maybe some politicians, pundits and rabble rousers watch these same movies. They watch and observe the power of passionate, fist pounding delivery. They realize that speech delivery is half the battle, but forget that content is the more important other half. These politicians understand that many of us want to be roused from our lethargy, so they whip up latent anger and discontent, then imply that they can soothe it. Sadly, many of these *p and rs use conviction and fervor to cloak shady rhetoric and dubious solutions. People watch and feel something other than indifference, so they follow. They don’t seem to be aware that with the exception of old movies, a noble heart does not beat inside the breast of every passionate speech giver.
Take note. It may be exciting to rally behind a politician who seems anti-establishment because he says outrageous things. The thing is, this is election season, not a movie. After the credits roll your rabble rousing politician will seek to do the harm that he promised. Harm that you never really took seriously.
Consider this:
A partnership based on fear and negative energy that isn’t deliberately transformed into substantive solutions will never net positive returns. Fear and anger always net the same results – more fear and more anger. You have a right to righteous anger. Go ahead and fight. Just make sure your cause is worthy. Examine your anger, and search for people who want to help solve the problem, and avoid him who would exploit you for selfish gain.
The solution?
Fight the good fight, led by a good fighter. In politics and in life, indulge your desire to fight for something, but make sure you marry it with a search for the right person to represent you and what you stand for. You matter and so does your vote.
CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES, AND YOUR CHAMPION WITH CARE.
*p and r = politicians and rabble rousers
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