That this film was made in the 1930's shows that corruption has long ruled in Washington, and probably indeed in every power center in the world, almost certainly going back to ancient Rome, and perhaps further. When we think of "the good old days" we are imagining a fantasy that never existed. The Camelot that existed in the early 1960's was under constant siege and ended with the death of its idealistic leader and the re-establishment of the corrupt power structure. It appears that evil has had the upper hand for most of human history, and that the good that is latent in human nature has survived as a battered and wounded soldier, much as Jefferson Smith was. Smith's triumph gives us hope, as does RFK's candidacy. Nonetheless, we know that the powers that infest Washington and all power structures will never go away and the battle for truth and morality is never-ending. Indeed, this battle begins in our own hearts, and continues as long as it is beating.
It feels this way. RFK Jr. has so many parallels with Mr Smith Goes to Washington. I have faith that truth win for him as well, as the American people begin to seek it this election cycle.
Corruption is magnified when there are limited choices.
We see that most of the nation is stuck in a two-party system, where every idea turns into "us vs them". Every issue is then treated as having only two possibilities for a solution. And that results in a new problem: No one is willing to look beyond two simple choices, and both of those two choices are framed by the same people on each side. Then whichever "solution" is chosen, the same group of insiders benefits.
As an example: When we witnessed bank failures 15 years ago, "both" sides of the Washington class came to the same solution: Bail out the banks. But the one issue that was not handled correctly (in my opinion) was that we had bankers that broke the law. The banks paid fines (which were funneled to them through the Federal Reserve) that went to government-targeted special interest groups, while none of the bankers responsible went to prison.
It was a movie and Kennedy is real. The real tragedy is Fox news, and other kingmakers know how to keep Trump out, Biden cannot do it, so they give coverage to Kennedy. This is not about Kennedy winning, it is now about using Kennedy to keep Biden in office. That is why Kennedy is at CPAC. Kennedy is happy to take Trump votes and he should be, but he needs the Biden voters, and the machine will prevent this. There is no way he can overcome the Democratic machine, no matter how he hopes he can have a path outside the Democratic party. He even says the system is rigged and has mentioned I think the machines are rigged. As the Democrats get ever more clever with the voting process, mail in ballots, huge harvesting operations and so on, Kennedy's chances and low. The polls show this today. I take no pleasure in writing this. The right wing kingmakers will give Kennedy enough airtime to take Trump votes, and the left wing kingmakers will isolate his message from the voters. So he and Trump need to set their ego's aside and strike a grand bargain, otherwise they both lose. They are both cooked if they do not find a way to collaborate.
has it ever occurred to people that the United States has always been run and ruled by Elites from DC or New York and other power centers? Why is this news and what is the purpose of revealing what we already know to be the truth on a subconscious level? George Washington was an elite as was Jefferson and most of the powerful and rich. Certain people like Mr Smith or Abe Lincoln or Obama or Clinton or regular sort of ambitious people can make it to elite status but that is about as far as it goes. Those who attack the elites often become elites themselves or, end up getting killed, jailed, or totally depressed. America is about upward mobility and achievement more than egalitarian or equality-oriented values. There is a reason there is only one Martin Luther King Jr statue in DC surrounded by generals elites and power. He was the moral consciousness of a world that had lost its morality or was avoiding its darkest sides. He was the exception to the rule. However, he never wanted to be an elite or even run for office. He was a bit bigger than all of that.
From the piece I wrote nine months ago on the same subject: "Family patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy, at the time serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, apparently sent a cablegram to Capra, saying that he felt the film would damage 'America's prestige in Europe' and should therefore be withdrawn from European distribution." So ironic!
A Story We Need: Why "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is the Perfect Antidote to Our Times.
That this film was made in the 1930's shows that corruption has long ruled in Washington, and probably indeed in every power center in the world, almost certainly going back to ancient Rome, and perhaps further. When we think of "the good old days" we are imagining a fantasy that never existed. The Camelot that existed in the early 1960's was under constant siege and ended with the death of its idealistic leader and the re-establishment of the corrupt power structure. It appears that evil has had the upper hand for most of human history, and that the good that is latent in human nature has survived as a battered and wounded soldier, much as Jefferson Smith was. Smith's triumph gives us hope, as does RFK's candidacy. Nonetheless, we know that the powers that infest Washington and all power structures will never go away and the battle for truth and morality is never-ending. Indeed, this battle begins in our own hearts, and continues as long as it is beating.
Well - see my note above - if the ego's if Kennedy and Trump can be set aside, evil can be beat.
Corruption will always exist. Our job is to rein it in to a tolerable level.
It feels this way. RFK Jr. has so many parallels with Mr Smith Goes to Washington. I have faith that truth win for him as well, as the American people begin to seek it this election cycle.
I am listening.
One of my favorite movies and exactly what is happening now. Thank you for the inspiration.
Another Fantastic piece Mr Talbot !
Rfk Jr will prevail “we the people “
Back ,support , foster and facilitate his charge.
We affirm, Validate and stand by him.
His is a divine charge.
“We” will prevail!!
“We” in strength Power and courage will Take back America!
Corruption is magnified when there are limited choices.
We see that most of the nation is stuck in a two-party system, where every idea turns into "us vs them". Every issue is then treated as having only two possibilities for a solution. And that results in a new problem: No one is willing to look beyond two simple choices, and both of those two choices are framed by the same people on each side. Then whichever "solution" is chosen, the same group of insiders benefits.
As an example: When we witnessed bank failures 15 years ago, "both" sides of the Washington class came to the same solution: Bail out the banks. But the one issue that was not handled correctly (in my opinion) was that we had bankers that broke the law. The banks paid fines (which were funneled to them through the Federal Reserve) that went to government-targeted special interest groups, while none of the bankers responsible went to prison.
Like this? https://mail.aol.com/d/folders/1/messages/ALl1G2FGHBqxZS_JNg2I2Dp0jH4
It was a movie and Kennedy is real. The real tragedy is Fox news, and other kingmakers know how to keep Trump out, Biden cannot do it, so they give coverage to Kennedy. This is not about Kennedy winning, it is now about using Kennedy to keep Biden in office. That is why Kennedy is at CPAC. Kennedy is happy to take Trump votes and he should be, but he needs the Biden voters, and the machine will prevent this. There is no way he can overcome the Democratic machine, no matter how he hopes he can have a path outside the Democratic party. He even says the system is rigged and has mentioned I think the machines are rigged. As the Democrats get ever more clever with the voting process, mail in ballots, huge harvesting operations and so on, Kennedy's chances and low. The polls show this today. I take no pleasure in writing this. The right wing kingmakers will give Kennedy enough airtime to take Trump votes, and the left wing kingmakers will isolate his message from the voters. So he and Trump need to set their ego's aside and strike a grand bargain, otherwise they both lose. They are both cooked if they do not find a way to collaborate.
has it ever occurred to people that the United States has always been run and ruled by Elites from DC or New York and other power centers? Why is this news and what is the purpose of revealing what we already know to be the truth on a subconscious level? George Washington was an elite as was Jefferson and most of the powerful and rich. Certain people like Mr Smith or Abe Lincoln or Obama or Clinton or regular sort of ambitious people can make it to elite status but that is about as far as it goes. Those who attack the elites often become elites themselves or, end up getting killed, jailed, or totally depressed. America is about upward mobility and achievement more than egalitarian or equality-oriented values. There is a reason there is only one Martin Luther King Jr statue in DC surrounded by generals elites and power. He was the moral consciousness of a world that had lost its morality or was avoiding its darkest sides. He was the exception to the rule. However, he never wanted to be an elite or even run for office. He was a bit bigger than all of that.
From the piece I wrote nine months ago on the same subject: "Family patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy, at the time serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, apparently sent a cablegram to Capra, saying that he felt the film would damage 'America's prestige in Europe' and should therefore be withdrawn from European distribution." So ironic!
A Story We Need: Why "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is the Perfect Antidote to Our Times.
https://marypoindextermclaughlin.substack.com/p/a-story-we-need