Waiting for the Election to be Over

Regular readers of my blog will know that I'm what you would call a "political wonk" (or probably a "political hack" is more appropriate). In any case, my point is that in the past I have relished in examining all the different aspects of charter amendments, revenue bond propositions, and signature driven referendums on the status quo.

However, this year it's different.

I really am ambivalent to the outcome of both our local San Francisco election and our Federal Election. "Change," "Lipstick on a pig," "Savings and Loan Scandal," "Maverick," "Hussein," "Hockey Mom," and "Swing States." These terms, as well as all other political rhetoric, have taken their toll on me. I'm the product of a postmodern election cycle where words are meaningless and personal beliefs are projected upon candidates to where social conflicts are reified and used to benefit one social class over the other. Red states are seen as more patriotic and Blue states are seen as more progressive. Support for the war is encouraged and the civil rights movement is referenced to re-live a cultural turning point so that present day voters can feel as if this moment in time is as significant, if not more significant, than the days of their predecessors.

Well, hate to say it, but it's not.

Regardless of who wins the election, regardless of which ballot measures pass or fail, and regardless of who is elected to the local school boards, nothing is going to "change." Wall Street will continue to be bailed out by our so-called representatives and poor schools will continue to struggle with educating young students.

What I'm saying is that social inequalities and the spirit of capitalism are inherent in our American Culture. No one person, nor group of activists, can change this fact. Elections are exercises in futility in that they mask the hierarchy in which we live. In "giving" individuals "the right to vote," society has duped us into thinking we have a choice, that we have free will, and most importantly, that our opinions matter.

They don't, and Americans are secretly ok with that. Why else hasn't there been a major revolution in this country? It's because we're happy with our IPhones, worrying about our stocks, getting our new rims, checking our facebook, writing on our blogs, and generally pacifying ourselves with American-made goods.

This is why I want the election to be over. I want people to stop pretending like they care. Elections give society an opportunity to plant their stakes in the ground and declare, "I am for XXX candidate, therefore, I am superior to those who support YYY candidate." Neither is superior, and elections create alienation among the populace, contributing to our already existing alienation from ourselves on account of living in modern society.