That Private Jet Non-Issue, and Political Thinking

Indeed, I agree with Karen and Kathryn on this point, but the thing to remember is that politicians always hone in on very trivial matters, as most cannot have a serious, substantive discussion about anything. The key is looking at political advertisements and compare them with auto advertising.

Political advertising will zero in on something the opponent might have done or said 30 years ago, as though that disqualifies someone from office. If political ad strategies were used in auto ads, Chevy would make a huge deal out of the Edsel failure or claim that those gas tanks on Pintos really were dangerous.

Ford would counter that the GM trucks would catch fire, and use that fake footage from NBC’s Dateline show from about 12 or 13 years ago. You get the point: most politicians really are shallow and trivial people, and their political ads demonstrate that point.Keep in mind, however, that nearly every member of Congress fashions himself or herself to be a CEO, deserving of CEO pay. There is nothing more they like to do than have a CEO up for an inquisition, because at that moment, the member of Congress (think Henry Waxman) is presented as someone all-knowing and brilliant, not like those overpaid business executives.

I am sure that Henry Waxman truly believes he can run an auto company or any other company when, in truth, he only can run his mouth. One reason that Congress really wants this bailout is that people like Chris Dodd and Waxman want their chance to be acting CEOs and show everyone how to build “green cars.” Of course, anything which is built under their direction will be horrible, an overpriced and heavily subsidized piece of garbage that no people in their right minds would buy.

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6:10 am on November 23, 2008