It
sure feels like Matt Johnson was either a prophet in 1989 or simply had the
good sense to notice how politics works. The lyrics from The Beat(en) Generation are almost disturbingly appropriate: — “By the greedy hands of politics and half‑truths…
reared on a diet of prejudice and misinformation” — hit harder now
than they did when The The first sang them. You can watch almost any political
ad today and see the same formula: a little truth, a little fiction, and a
whole lot of confident hand‑waving.
We’re told inflation is down, gas prices are great (except the news report I have heard 5 times this morning already about "surging" gas prices), food costs are lower, tariffs are overflowing with revenue, and the rising cost of living and inflation is just “fake news.” And every time I hear those claims, I find myself wondering Where are these people shopping? Because I’d love to visit. Apparently, there’s a magical supermarket somewhere where groceries cost less, gasoline is practically free, and tariffs are paying everyone’s bills. Meanwhile, I’m standing in the checkout line wondering if my carton of eggs has been upgraded to 24-karat gold, and unfortunately, my grocery receipt doesn’t accept “misinformation” as a payment method.
The frustrating part is that somewhere
beneath all the political theater, campaign slogans, carefully polished talking
points, and competing versions of reality are actual people trying to pay their
bills, buy groceries, fill their cars, and make it through the month.
Maybe instead of endlessly playing the party
line, politicians could try something wonderfully radical: working for
the people who elected them rather than for themselves, their parties, or the
next election cycle. It would be nice if we were not stuck in this
endless loop of spin, counter‑spin, and “don’t worry, everything’s fine.” That includes the recent promise of that supposed
$5,000 payment to every adult if a certain party wins. I’m a little confused by
that one, too. If we have an extra $5,000 lying around for every adult, why
does winning an election have to be the prerequisite for giving it away? Is
there a giant vault somewhere marked “Money We Were Going to Give You
Anyway, But Only If You Vote Correctly”? And frankly, I hope it doesn’t
happen. We’re already buried under a national debt that would make a sane
person hide under the bed. Giving everyone money we don't actually have sounds
less like prosperity and more like putting another credit card in the shredder
and congratulating ourselves on being financially responsible.
Of course, they’ll find a way to get it back
from us eventually.
Taxes. Fees. Inflation. Tariffs. Some
beautifully named “temporary” surcharge that becomes permanent approximately
three minutes after we stop paying attention.
Maybe I’m being overly
cynical this morning. Then again, perhaps cynicism is what happens when you’ve
heard enough promises to know that the fine print is usually hiding somewhere
just outside the camera frame. Maybe I’m tired of being told that what I can
plainly see with my own eyes isn't actually happening.
I don’t expect
politicians to agree with me—or even with each other. But I do wish they would
spend a little less time playing the party line and a little more time
remembering who actually pays the bill.
Maybe that’s what Johnson
was getting at all those years ago.
Or maybe I just need
another cup of coffee.
Cynical? Perhaps.
Paying attention? Absolutely.
