Confusing candidacy

A couple of thoughts about our present politics which seem so unusual, chaotic and even confusing compared to what we usually think of as a campaign for our presidency. When do Americas needs and problems get addressed?

First thought: As I was channel surfing before church Sunday morning listening to all the talking heads, panels and political palaver going on, it struck me that if the Republican party could ever decide which of its 2 or3 party identities it really wants to be, they might just have a chance at gaining the White House. Right now they are simply fighting for some cohesive identity. Quite frankly, it would seem that if they don’t soon show the American public some party unity 2016 could be a very tough year for the party. The emerging fact seems to be that “big money” control is inevitably going to have to bow to “people power “control.

Second thought: Call it what you want, but there is a growing international movement afoot for challenging war and nuclear weapons plus the great emphasis on austerity. There is now more emphasis on humanitarian and social concerns. Evidence is showing that this shift is growing and probably won’t be stopped. Case in point is the very recent election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the British Labour Party. Check it out. See what the pundits are saying about the significance of this. Here at home? Corbyn’s win can be likened to our own Bernie Sanders tremendous appeal in the minds of many. The people are speaking out and will not be silenced. This in the face of all those political candidates floundering, pointing fingers, and generally trying to figure out how to get a good message across without sounding Socialistic.

All this has to be a real conundrum for most of the Republican candidates for president who mistakenly think they are part of a Democracy “Of the people, by the people and for the people.” The people don’t seem to think so.

Bob McClellan

Polson, Montana