Politics are an entertaining drama

To the editor:

On Nov. 3, we’ll decide to continue our hold on the person wishing to cling to ultimate greatness — the U.S. presidency — or replace him with someone who is desperate to achieve it.

As the challenge gathers momentum, it appears solid reasoning from opposing camps is either lacking or not held in high esteem. It seems those in the political arena are not guided to the mountain top by logic and sound judgment but obtain such imposing heights by intimidating everyone in their path.

Politics isn’t so much about leading but persuasion by any means. Mastering this art is not illegal but it normally strays from ethical conduct.

My 39-cent postcard continues to wait on President Donald Trump’s announcement. His first campaign proclaims our income tax could be filed on the reverse side. Is there a slight chance I might be naive?

It’s rare for any hard-charging politician seeking the White House, win or lose, to come away with their soul intact.

Not unlike a strong odor that may be unpleasant, what we see and hear conveys an opinion to the mind allowing us to render a decision. The news outlets are not blind to these human frailties. This overdose of democracy can make healthy Americans politically sick. Such tactics can cause strong men to cry and weak men to tremble.

Our presidential elections are watched closely by world leaders. Its impact on civilization may not be in the league with Moses climbing Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land, but those who dare greatly and ascended Capitol Hill to its political peak and survey the land of opportunity is certainly a product of parallel endeavor for influencing human events.

In spite of its ills, democracy is the most desired form of government and may it long endure. Too often it suffers abuse by those who control its functions. But we’ve witnessed its rare beauty when an unknown — Barack Obama — emerged from the darkness and took center stage and held it under the world-renowned spotlight. It doesn’t get any better than that.

On a less abrasive topic, and slightly humorous, once the election is passed and the coronavirus pandemic and protests diminish, hopefully, our government can director its talents toward more “serious” issues it prefers to solve by squandering our limited assets.

Descend on the literary world and cleanse it of all William Sydney Porter (O’Henry) works from schools and libraries. His three years in an Ohio federal penitentiary for embezzlement is grounds for total banishment. A class-action lawsuit against Warner Brothers Studios for exploiting the animated characters of Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Tweety Bird is long overdue. Their speech impediments were and are an affront to all citizens so afflicted by causing pain and distress.

Let’s not overlook Little Red Riding Hood, the centuries-old fairy tale that’s real name is never mentioned. Perhaps we can employ Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein — they’re still living — of Watergate fame who conferred frequently with a mysterious Deep Throat, whose identity was finally revealed 31 years later. There’s no better team than these two investigative journalists who can solve the omission of her true identity. And to these absurd proposals, let’s add the Lone Ranger to the agenda.

Let the political entertainment continue.

Respectfully,

Roy Leverich

Portland