U.S. politics is for the birds

A noteworthy political event was held at the Iowa State Fair Grounds earlier this month.

It was the night of the full Strawberry Moon, the meteorological start of summer. The event known as “Roast and Ride” introduced Iowans to five Republicans who have already declared their candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

With such a penchant for pork-barrel politics in U.S., there were probably many pork chops served at the barbecue, and we will all hear many outrageous and ridiculous claims along the way, from all ends of the political spectrum.

There will be many more contenders when the Republican National Committee (RNC) hosts the first (nomination race) debate in August, almost 15 months before the presidential election itself on Nov. 5, 2024.

The RNC rules say participants must hold more than 1% approval in designated polls, and must pledge to support the eventual nominee. That pledge may stick in the craw for some contenders, depending whom the party’s nominee is.

One thing for sure, is potential voters will hear many quotes from all Republican and Democrat candidates about the infinite wisdom of the Founding Fathers. However, those wise men who framed the U.S. Constitution in 1787, surely had no idea that elections would develop in the way they are today.

Political spending on the 2020 election was reported to be about US $15-billion, more than double the cost of 2016’s election, and there was surely a lot more undeclared spending.

It’s a sad fact of life, that as soon as a politicians are elected they must start fundraising for their next campaign, whether it’s a two-year term in the Congress, six years in the Senate, or four years in the White House. Fund-raising is an integral part of any politician’s life, and it often leads to corruption, of course.

For those of us who support neither party, but view it all as great entertainment, it’s worth noting with either party, political contenders are frequently raucous and rambunctious, sometimes difficult to understand, constantly crave attention, always squawk loudly, and perpetually preen themselves, all while often making a mess of things.

Come to think of it, all those attributes and characteristics equally apply to my best buddy Chico, my Hahn’s Macaw, who my late wife Susan and I adopted 22 years ago, when he was 6 weeks old.

He definitely rules the roost, and gives unconditional love. If only he were born in the U.S. and above the age of 35 to qualify as a candidate for the Oval Office, then there would be no hesitation in casting my vote for Chico as president.

Bernie Smith, Parksville