Follow the Money
Seventy Thoughts on Turning Seventy
Why is it big news that actor George Clooney has called for President Biden to step aside? Could it have anything to do with his connection to wealthy donors?
The DNC is about money same as the GOP. Would we all be so agitated and swayed by actor George Clooney's Op Ed if he hasn't been a major fund raiser for the star-studded wing of the Democratic party? It's not that Clooney ever worked for or with people from the Biden administration. It's not as if he has written any laws or policies. He may have made some movies but he is just one voter, one citizen, like you and me.
From where I sit, there is little difference between the way actors, performers, corporate leaders and other cultural influencers use their money and popularity to elevate their own voices and advocate for their own interests regardless of party. And then they presume to speak for the rest of us. While George Clooney has a right to free speech, he doesn't have a "right" to have his opinion published by the New York Times.
That's a corporate editorial decision made by a publication whose editorial board has already shared their opinion about the race, calling on an aging Democrat to resign while buoying the prospects of an aging GOP felon. These are complicated times socially, economically and politically. Each of us must weigh the issues and consequences of this election, making sure that we are not falling prey to people with money and power who believe their income and celebrity give them a bigger platform and a larger voice than you and me.
But complexity is hard to live with and uncertainty can lead to fear. I can understand how some people would run into the comforting arms of conspiracy theorists who offer simple ( though outlandish) explanations for complex problems. I am finding myself asking questions about the forces behind the New York Times and their dissection of every and stutter and shuffle of one candidate while ignoring the lies and twisted syntax of the other.
I am resisting the temptation to embrace a conspiracy theory of my own -- one which would have media outlets of all political stances colluding to put trump back into power because he draws larger audiences and raises their advertisement income. There are holes in this theory of course, but conspiracy theorists aren't held to any standards of scientific evidence or even rationality. Their speculations just have to "feel" right.
And while parts of this theory feel right to me, I also know that it's lazy to cling to any assumption the offers a simple explanation for complex issues.
But one thing that is abundantly clear is the old adage "money talks." This is true with Democrats and Republicans.
The word democracy is derived from the Greek word dēmokratia, which comes from the roots dēmos ( people) and kratos ( rule.)
Ideally, we are not a plutocracy, another word which derives from Greek from the word ploútos ( wealth.)
One of the things that we mere citizens can do is follow the money as we continue to examine the issues, character and ability of the candidates. The other thing we can do is to continue to read, research, and dialogue with others in this messy process of self-government.
While I share most of George Clooney's political values, I still question the weight news outlets are giving his opinions. Why are we twisting in the wind because an actor has called for the President of the United States to leave the race?
Oh and for the record -- trump was totally unhinged at his rally last night, exhibiting a level of gleeful cruelty that should exempt him from any public service or human interaction. Who's covering that?
