If you do not have anything to do in the next month, consider running for the governor of California-you just might win. After all, there are already 134 candidates and a few more would only add grains to the beach.
The California recall became a circus with too many clowns and not enough ring-leaders. With the recall only a month away, current Gov. Gray Davis will need a majority of the people's votes to stay in office. Otherwise, the jesters will have their time to joke.
Schwarzenegger leads the act with a majority of Republican support, a lump some of cash and a little bit of fame. Somehow, he plans to run office without being called the \Terminator"" or ""Conan the Barbarian.""
Larry Flynt will have his chance to shine using all his valuable resources; his beloved Hustler girls and his experience in ""battling with the legal system.""
Of course there is Marey Carey, an experienced porn star as well as a wild temptress. Her goals include ""taxing breast implants"" and ""placing web cams in the governor's office.""
And do not forget Gary Coleman. His campaign slogan is ""Watchoo talkin' bout, I should be governor.""
Although there are some non-jocular candidates, such as Tom McClintock and Peter Miguel, it is time to organize an examination system or a set of requirements for political officials.
The opposition will argue the absence of an official standard is essential for a democratic state to hold its political characteristic. The oversight to this reasoning is the belief that the people will vote for the candidate who is best suited for the task.
Power for the people? More like power for the media and the money makers. The man or woman with the most money and fame can sway the common person's mind to believe wrong is right.
For example, Schwarzenegger receives more attention than the other candidates, and this propaganda is not just a result of his personal income. The media writes articles and posts pictures of Arnold. As a matter of fact, this article uses only his first or last name (not in combination) and his fame succeeds to strike recognition in the reader's mind. Even though Arnold's perquisite is not politics, his money, fame and fortune help him hurdle the media obstacles that many less fortunate candidates must endure.
This circus train runs on tracks made of rich men's money and media attention. In a less democratic environment, such fools could not run for office. However, their true identities cannot remain in hiding forever and the democratic election will eventually divulge the foolishness of their character.
Or will it? A serious election requires a price ceiling for political campaigns, more informative debates and real political experience.
The line between the ideal candidate and the foolish actor is the essence of human manipulation. A high school campaign involves the candidate handing out lollipops and pins to sway the voters. At a higher level the lollipops are silver dollars and the pins are magazines articles; either way the human mind falls victim to material influence and biased judgment.
This country is a few years away from developing an improved method of electing political officials, counting ballots and choosing ideal icons. Yet, the need for wiser political campaigns is necessary. In the meantime, I have to pack my bags, because I feel California needs nothing more than a wise, experienced, college veteran to run its beloved state.
