An Arranged Marriage

It was an arranged marriage, and I didn't like either of the two choices I was given.  Neither did many other Americans.

It has been eons since I heard the words, "Do as you are told."  That was an edict repeated often during my early years, and I respected it until I left the household.  Fortunately, my husband and I never inflicted those words on each other, and in the years that followed I forgot them.  That was until quite recently when I heard them ringing in my ears once again.

The two candidates for the arranged marriage were a queen mother and a crown prince, both major figures in political dynasties.  The thinking was who could argue when we were given two choices.  Somewhere in an ivory tower, wiser minds had concluded it was a prudent decision, but unfortunately, the voters were never consulted.  It didn't seem to matter that neither the strident blonde candidate nor the rejected son of an ex-president were ever the political spouses chosen by the American voters.  However, as time would tell, the people who go to the polls are the ones who remembered those memorable lines in the Gettysburg Address, "Of the people, by the people and for the people."

Ironically, there are not one but two bad boys on the block who have caused this fissure in the political families thus calling to mind not only the words, "Do as you are told," but also, the second commandment, "Stay away from the bad boys.  They only get you into trouble."

Today's bad boys are both charismatic and at opposite ends of the spectrum intellectually and politically.  In distinctly different ways both are appealing to more and more Americans even as we are being reprimanded and scolded nightly and on weekends on TV and in print.

The American voting public is now viewed as the rebellious youth not listening to their wise elders.  Elite indignation along with an obvious lack of journalistic ethics is apparent as hour by hour on opposing channels and in diverse media, we are scolded because we are making a mistake.

We are warned if we defect from the politically controlled DNC or RNC and fall in love with the wrong person, our marriage will be a disaster doomed to failure.  It must be stopped before it happens.  We are advised there are numerous ways to do that before we reach the altar.  In Washington D.C., the appealing Senator from VT is inexplicably off the ballot.  No questions have been asked.  It was simply an error, but done for our own good.

In Louisiana, it also appears the controversial bad boy billionaire despite his obvious win will not have more ballots than the wiser choice who came in second.  Difficult to comprehend, but a reality.

And of course, let us not forget the best choice for all concerned, the Governor from Ohio, the most desirable bridegroom, who just happens to have the least votes.

Do as you are told seems to be tumbling out of the mouths of every news commentator during this divisive spring of 2016.  Sometimes when there is a panel discussion between 4 or 6 wise men and women, the participants cannot disguise their dismay at the ignorance of the average American of voting age.  It is difficult to hide their consternation at how such a beautiful marriage could have been rejected.  There was so much planning and inexplicably, it now has gone awry.

However, as any good marriage broker will tell you, there are always ways to fix things.  Rules can be adjusted; delegates can be persuaded; it just takes time.  in the end all will be well.  The bad  boys will be sent on their way, and besides most people know, more often than not, an arranged marriage works out better than a romantic alliance.  At least that's what the loudest voices are telling the American public today.  I wonder if they are listening.