Perpetual Notion

Words will be present,
whether planted into rows
or floated in thought.

Marbles found rolling
aimless circles in a dish
will be played someday

But why rush the rye,
with the oven, perfect warm?
Eat it tomorrow.

External clock ticks.
The internal one bounces.
More time for more words.

I am not saying that propaganda is bad. It is just a tool as any other similar thing. It can and will be used. Therefore it is important that people recognize its usage, or else they will find that they themselves are what is used. I do not despise propaganda. I despise the inability of some to see its application. It can be delivered as simply as a pretty face and soft voice to match.

It need not come from above, but can rise among the youth and sing all the credibility that a grass roots effort can offer. Such is the case, that everyone is susceptible to being drugged, and everyone is equally capable of handing out prescription. One candidate stands above all others in this realm. And while the polls may not always show it, the public embraces him in a manner that makes the competition salivate.

The campaign of Barack Obama is formed upon an image far more those of others running. This is not say that his merits are superficial. It is likely that Obama has substance. But who will see it when we are so filled with the wonderment of his coolness. A strong and successful image goes a long way and can be a great asset. It can also be a handicap. Pleased with the immediate impression, voters may feel less a need to dig deeper into what makes up the candidate.

A person faces no greater scrutiny than by running for the office of president. But then… what really would they have to hide if the public is not even looking. The current state of things bolsters my confidence that I could in fact build up a campaign around a cardboard cutout. Granted I would need to add a few celebrity endorsements and a sound byte or two.

Our system of democracy allows for us to be skeptics. The three branches of government are even arranged so as to be actively skeptical of one another. We do no justice to ourselves, our neighbors, our country by electing the most handsome grin. Let us ask of our candidates all the substance that they have to offer, and when there is no more, we can ask “why not more?” For we will only get as much as we ask, so why not ask everything?