TW_P_001

Lagos, Nigeria

Image credits: The Guidon Online

For future reference,

I have been observing the trend of events in the US elections, not because I am particularly interested in the play of events or in who eventually, assumes the presidential seat come November (although for reasons i will state later, I am watching anyway).

However, the highly televised political maneuvering published especially by CNN (surprise!) portrays in vivid colour, all the usual shenanigans and political dirt-throwing common in almost every place where politics is practiced, especially under the democratic system. Anyone who is interested in how theses things happen, can gain understanding. The situation is the same everywhere, including in my dear Nigeria and I can draw many analogies.

Trump is not as crazy as people make him out to be. He is not entirely raving and ranting without cause. He has support for what he does because there are people who identify with the positions he is taking. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the elections and does implement some of the supposedly far-fetched ideas he has touted. Or conversely, assumes an entirely different personality altogether. Because he is human and has the right to change his mind.

Hilary Clinton with the cool, calm and collected demeanour is not necessarily as saintly as the media wants to portray her. Because that's exactly was is informing the public impression of politicians - the media's impressions of the matter. As a result, no one does the extra work to sift through the deluge of propaganda, for the truth, if there be any. It's easier to take someone else's opinion for it and just pick sides to pitch tents. But back to Clinton. She is also human and the voting public seems to forget this in blind fanaticism.

But people are always looking for the heroes who will save them from themselves, and the man with the most fluent sales pitch usually wins, more often than not.

The American public has not convinced me by their actions that they know what they want for their country. As with every other democracy, they seem to be relying on people to propose to them what they need to do or have, and then convincing themselves that that is what they really need.

And while the accusations and mud-slinging go on, there seems to be a perception however subtle, that the choices or options for the leadership of America in the next dispensation, are limited to these two front runners. Once again, I am convinced that this perception holds sway because people lazily chose to accept it. They would rather stick with tradition than take the courage to change their ways, in anticipation of the new results they hope for.

For instance, there are two other options in the Green and Libertarian parties, which do not get anywhere near the media hype that the Republican and Democratic parties do. These other parties seem to be the distractions or side attractions in the main event between the two bigger guns - the spice in the brew that the others represent. And this, for a supposed democracy where everyone's voice should count! But this state of affairs I must state again, is not unique to the US - it's in every democracy. I also want to reiterate that things are the way they are because influential people with the consent of their not-so-influential fellows, want it to appear so.

Mass appeal seems to win over commonsense, eight times out of ten. You want to do right, but are alone in your quest. So, you smother your good intentions and compromise to go with the flow. And afterwards, live in bitterness because of a choice you made.

Yes, I have been told that the extensive support for the Republican and Democratic parties has historical antecedents. But if men, desire change from what they have been used to, do they unrepentantly continue with the status quo, while falsely branding their intentions as new and novel? Is this not self deceit and fraud? Someone has said this is the definition of madness.

Some people would rather die than surrender their partisan loyalties in favour of progress. Or at least, change. How genuine then, can such desire for change be said to be?

What's even worse, is how people get upset when this falsehood fails miserably. Is that supposed to be surprising, much less upsetting?