I saw the results of an NBC poll – and these ratings were more than a little interesting:
The results intrigued me – Capitalism scored at a +48 while Socialism came in at a -52. Donald Trump came in at +37 and the Democratic Socialists at -50 (which was still two points ahead of MAGA, matched the Democratic Party and was a single point behind the Republican Party. My summary of this is that, generally speaking, Americans don’t particularly like our politicians and leaders. Makes me feel normal.
My memory of politics in the Fifties centers on a campaign slogan – “I Like Ike.” In 1960 we had a close election between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy – a squeaker of an election, where Kennedy received 0.17% more of the popular vote, and a small change in two states that he won would have put the Electoral College results at 269 to 269, moving the election to the House. Four years later it was a landslide for Lindon Johnson – yet by 1968 Johnson was politically untouchable.
Politics has changed. I suppose LBJ’s decline was primarily due to his handling of Viet Nam – I recall a lot more controversy over that war than the with Iran (possibly because Iran’s Islamic Republic has had so many years to turn opinions against it). No matter. In 1960, JFK could win with a tiny majority and move into the White House unquestioned, with 303 electoral votes. A couple of years back, Trump had a 1.5% lead in the popular vote, 312 electoral votes, and moved back into the White House amidst a lot of protest.
Once upon a time, it was “I Like Ike.” Now the voters are polarized and our strongest candidates are more disliked than liked – regardless of Party. And I find myself in keeping with my countrymen – I hold my nose and mark the ballot alongside the candidate that I feel will damage my interests the least.
Working with the school taught me that a bad school board isn’t a problem if you have at least one member who can convince two others to vote the right way – but it is easy to elect board members who are only good for a quorum call. Looking at what has been done in times when Lincoln County had no Superintendent of Schools has convinced me that a poor County Soup is still better than no County Soup (the problem is that the system is set up to get a mediocre County Soup most of the time – it is not surprising that a system that teaches to the median rewards mediocrity).
We have some great choices in our state level politicians – Austin Knudsen is probably as strong on the Second Amendment as any state attorney general. I Like Austin – never have met him, but he has worked for my interests. I would much prefer to have to agonize a decision between two great candidates than have an easy choice of the lesser of two evils.
The stats I’m looking at tell me that I’m not alone in disliking the choices that show up on my ballot.
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