What Is In The Fridge May Decide The Presidency

Summary

The content reflects on the influence of personal economic circumstances and media manipulation on voters' decisions in political elections, exemplified by the US Presidential race and the UK's Prime Minister selection.

Abstract

The article discusses the nuanced factors that influence voters during elections, particularly the US Presidential race. It suggests that some voters, rather than strictly adhering to party lines, assess their personal economic situation—metaphorically represented by the contents of their fridge—to decide which party they believe will ensure their prosperity. The author recounts a conversation with a friend in Spain who posited that the fullness of one's refrigerator could predict their vote. The piece also touches on the role of mainstream media in shaping public opinion, citing the UK's election of Boris Johnson as an example where media influence and a weak opposition contributed to an unexpected outcome. The author, identifying as a socialist, admits to being torn between a local, effective conservative MP and an unengaged socialist candidate. The article concludes with a critique of the media and the quality of political candidates, suggesting that the best leaders may avoid running due to the invasive nature of media scrutiny.

Opinions

The author agrees with the idea that some voters decide based on their economic well-being under the current government, rather than party loyalty.
There is a belief that even staunch Democrats or Republicans might vote against their party if they perceive personal benefit from the opposition.
The author suggests that media manipulation, particularly by right-wing outlets, can significantly sway elections, as seen with Boris Johnson's victory in the UK.
Socialists may abandon their principles when influenced by the media or enticed by a comfortable lifestyle, sometimes becoming "champagne socialists."
Local government performance can influence voters, as exemplified by the author's admiration for an effective conservative MP despite their socialist leanings.
The author cites George Carlin's perspective on not voting to avoid culpability for poor political outcomes.
There is a cynical view that the political arena is dominated by self-serving individuals due to the risk of media intrusion, leaving voters to choose between "the lesser of two evils."

The US elections may hang on a tub of butter and half a dozen eggs, plus one or two beers, of course

Photograph by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

This morning I read an excellent article by fellow writer and editor Dew Langrial. The piece was about the United States elections for the Presidency and how the Republicans and the Democrats take up their respective positions. And whilst I applaud such a cogent well written piece, I was reminded of a short conversation with a friend called Isabello some years ago in a breakfast bar the south of Spain.

"You know how people choose which side they are going to vote for? They take a look in the fridge to see how full it is." said my friend. I had to concede that he had a point.

Of course, lots of people are dyed in the wool republicans or democrats. And even if they don't actually like the Presidential candidate, they will vote for the party that they love and adore.

Then there are the others, the ones who open the fridge door. Of course it is a metaphorical fridge. What they will do is take stock of how well, or not, they are doing under the present government. And for these people, even if they are hardened democrats, if they are faring better, or believe that they will fare better under their arch enemy republicans, then they will cast their vote for that enemy. This perhaps goes some way to explaining how we ended up with Boris as Prime Minister in the UK. Having said that, I think the victory of Boris was more to do with the power of the right wing main stream media and a lack of clarity and conviction on the part of the leader of the opposition.

I think all socialists are only willing to tow that line of being a socialist until they have been manipulated by the MSM or they have been bought off by the good life. Then they become either brain deadened zombies or what are called champagne socialists.

Another dimension is about how the local member of the government performs in his or her constituency. I was born and bred as a socialist almost all my life. But I found myself living in a town with an excellent Tory MP. This MP was an amazing representative for our little town. And I found myself torn between a disinterested and uninspiring socialist candidate who couldn't even be bothered to live in the constituency he wanted to represent, and a charismatic Tory champion for local causes and the interests which were at the forefront of everything he did.

And then I am minded of the late great George Carlin who claimed that as he did not vote at all, nobody could blame him when it all went base over apex. And that I am afraid to say is where I have been at for quite some time. Asking me to choose between two opposing political leaders is like asking me do I want to die by the gun or by the knife. Either way I end up dead.

Are there any good people not in the running who would make an excellent leader? Hell yeah there are. But I suspect no self respecting decent human being would want to run the risk of having their lives torn a part by a vicious and malicious Main Stream Media. Thus what we are left with is the shameless, hard faced, self seeking charlatans who quite frankly my dear, couldn't give a damn. It is simply a case of choosing between the lesser of the two evils. What a way to choose the leader of the free world, not to mention the planet.