AMERICAN IDOL POLITICS


Right from the start I should admit that we at the Stokes home watch American Idol. I know, it was not expected and this revelation may lower what you think of me. But, I have to come clean; I am an “Idol Addict”. Some may suggest I start attending “Idol Anonymous” meetings if it gets out of hand. But for now I will just indulge myself by watching it on Fox every Tuesday and Wednesday.

So what is the fascination with this show? Well, at the beginning of the season it is all about the performers who are “talent impaired”. Man, there is nothing more funny then to watch people try out for a talent contest who have no talent. There are even people who will use gimmicks to get noticed like the guy who juggled while singing….what was he thinking.

Then there are the judges. Randy, Paula and Simon share the limelight as judges, but Simon always stands out as the harshest to the performers. I am guessing that Randy is an Independent voter, Paula a Democrat and Simon is the lone Republican. Okay I am just kidding.

As the show progresses the singers begin to show their true talent and by late spring America votes for the new office holder of the title “America Idol”.

Now, you got to be wondering what this has to do with politics. Absolutely nothing! Or does it?

The process to select the next American Idol has some similarities to the primary process for selecting our next President. Simon, Paula, and Randy are the Caucus members who narrow down the candidates. They bring it down to a dozen or so people who will then go to the public who cast a vote weekly to narrow it down further.

The final candidates perform weekly and before each one there is an interview process to enlighten the American public about who they are and where they come from. There are video clips of their families and hometown. There are questions and answers from viewers trying to understand more about them.

Sounds a lot like the screening process for a Presidential Candidate seeking the highest office of the land.

However, there is a difference, or at least there should be. The American Idol candidates are measured by talent and packaged preparation by the shows creative staff. Their hair and makeup is just right. There clothing is selected carefully to create an image that will appeal to the American viewer. You get the idea.

Men and Women running for president have the same assistance in their desire to appear flawless before American Public. Rumors are even out there that one candidate for President had Botox injections to give a more youthful appearance.

In selecting an American Idol the created image will be all we really know about the person. In selecting a President we need to know more important things. We need to know their intellect, their record of performance, and the most important their stand on the issues.

Where American Idol is solely for entertainment, the office of President is about competence and wisdom. Where American Idol winners may make it big with a recording contract and a concert tour, the winner of the election of President will have the ultimate responsibility for the well-being of the entire nation.

The winner of American Idol will become unimportant weeks after the final show. The winner of the Presidential election will have a lasting impact on you, your children, and grandchildren.

So, get past the image creation of the campaign. Ignore the photo ops designed to elevate the candidate to hero like status. Forget how they look on television.

Base your chose for our next President on substance. What is their character like? What have they done? What are their convictions and have they waffled on them over the years? How will they lead America and care for her citizens?

America needs a strong leader for the years ahead. Let’s not treat this choice in the same way America votes for the Idol.

Greg Stokes