From One Olympics to Another

Here in the United States we have just gone from the world Athletic Olympics to an Olympics of another kind. The Political Olympics.

It may not be right to call the Democratic and the Republican National Conventions an Olympics. But when you look at them, the fact that at the conclusion of a four year cycle, people (athletes in one case and politicians in the other) complete a four year goal.

Then when you consider that each of the political conventions will be putting on a show that highlights the accomplishment of former leaders, the goals of current leadership and the dreams of those who wish to be future leaders, again there are some similarities.

However, I spent many hours watching the China Olympics, but I probably will spend very little time watching any of the activities at the conventions.

It’s not because I’m not political. Many people consider me very political in my hometown. This is true, but that’s because I’m interested in Local Politics, not national. It’s the local politics that affects us directly. The larger the government body (even at the state level) the more that body is ruled, not by the people, but professional politicians. Politicians that have spent a great portion of their adult life reaching the point that they have risen to.

At least at the local level, many of the people that have voted for you also know you. They know where you live, where you shop and know where and when they can run into you on the street. Those involved in State and National politics can’t help but to be isolated from those that have voted for them.

Think about it. When have you ever talked with your state representative, your governor or the congressional (Senator or Representative) that wasn’t for a brief time (a handshake) during a political rally? I’d venture to say seldom if at all.