Avoiding Issues is Now the Political Norm: From Billy Long to Barack Obama

Last year, my eyes were opened to the American political process. Money buys elections and votes only matter second. If you have the money, you can buy yourself a clever catch phrase like "Fed Up" or "Hope and Change" without any real knowledge of the issues. By the time you get to Washington, you learn which reporters will candy coast your existence and which reporters to avoid. Just ask Congressman Billy Long and the reporters in the Seventh District who continue to be snubbed by their new Congressman.

Apparently, this is the road Barack Obama will take in his reelction efforts, and it's not the first time I have compared Congressman Long to Barack Obama.

PATHOS, sadly enough, wins election in the United States these day. Americans pick their candidates almost like it's an episode of American idol. Say the right catch phrase the way they want to hear it, and that's how many Americans vote. They would be better not voting, but we guilt these people into believing they are not living up to their civic opportunity if they don't vote. That should change. We should make it embarrassing for a voter if they paid less than two hours studying the candidates (and watching a debate doesn't count).

Sol Sanders writes today for Zero Hedge of what to expect from Barack Obama, a forumula repeated time and again in American politics:

It looks like next year’s presidential election will be a beauty contest.

Electors aren’t likely to get a Lincoln-Douglas debate. Voters might reasonably have hoped for something approaching that given the domestic financial crisis, young Americans dying in three wars overseas, a host of other difficult domestic and foreign crises, all against a general conflict over traditional ethical values.

But by launching his campaign with outrageous demagoguery, Pres. Barack Obama “made it clear” he will avoid fundamentals. He counts on emotional appeals to self interest – private and corporate welfare recipients, elderly who make old age a profession out of human tragedy, all interests vying for favor at the public trough. Mr. Obama obviously counts on adulation rather than cognition – from naïve youth addicted to “change-whatever”, the gold-laden Hollywood glitterati, guilt ridden intellectuals obsessed with race, Washington’s enormous public and private lobbies, and minority voters blindly following media created leadership.

That, in turn, will make it difficult for his opponents to respond with a candidate and a campaign based on issues.

Yes this is the way elections are won these days. Go out of your way to avoid the issues. Right Congressman Long? That's right, you are still avoiding the issues and the tough questions. What was that Bret Funk told Breitbart about your focus last week when asked about a Billy Long campaign promise?