Saturday, January 23, 2010

The faster they rise, the harder they fall

As many one hit wonders could attest, it's hard to live up to a meteoric rise to the top. Too often celebrities find it hard to live up to the unrealistically high expectations of their fans. Right now Scott Brown is on top of the world, not unlike Mr. Obama a year ago. Maybe he should write a book right now, called "how I ruled the world (for one week)". I guess my point is that he needs to position himself to lead by the things he accomplishes and does and try to muffle the fan club until he has some track record in the senate. Right now he's just famous for being famous, sort of like the the mobius loop of fame Paris Hilton.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

On Voting and Change

Last night Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in what many consider the most significant political upset in recent history. Independent and Republican voters are euphoric today at the ramifications. I share partly in this joy because I think it sends a clear message to politicians that the mode of operation over the past year, and before, is unacceptable. We take a lot from politicians and often times let them get away with far too much but the spirit of liberty was manifest in the voice of the Massachusetts voters last night. However, I fear that what many see as a positive change may only be a change. It is not enough to say "not this way", we must find the best way. We have to really understand what liberty means and how it is achieved instead of trying any plan that promises change and then waiting to see if it works.
Only time will tell what kind of leader Scott Brown is though. I fear that we vote too often against a candidate or policy. Brown's win was more a referendum on the president and the Democrats and a vote of "No" against Martha Coakley than it was a vote of confidence in Scott Brown. When we can move beyond a contest of two parties and vote for the better of two candidates (rather than the lesser of two evils) then we will truly have our voice.