Play it again, Uncle Sam

I’m Just Sayin’

by SHEILA SMITH

Even though I am part of the media, I will be the first to agree that the media sometimes pounces on the smallest detail then turns it into a major issue.

Case in point: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick, Paul Ryan. You have probably been hearing a lot about Ryan’s favorite author, Ayn Rand.

Rand, who wrote such novels as “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” (both of which are highly likely to be read by students in high school and college), was a big fan of laissez-faire capitalism. She also supported abortion, opposed religion and was mostly anti-war. The aforementioned pretty much makes her an enemy of Republicans.

In 2003, Ryan said in interviews that he had been reading Rand since high school and credited her writings for pushing him towards economics and policy. He regularly gave out copies of “Atlas Shrugged” as Christmas presents and encouraged his interns to familiarize themselves with the book.

Since coming into the vice presidential spotlight, though, Ryan has backtracked on his public love of Rand. The left wing has sunk its teeth into his adoration of the author, though, and has accused Ryan of being a socialist.

Meanwhile, the right wing is steadily pumping out propaganda that charges President Barack Obama as being a socialist.

(Well, each side has a socialist. Now you’re even, so find something new to fight about.)

As a voter, I’m desperately clinging to the fence, unsure of who is the lesser evil out of Obama-Biden and Romney-Paul. Still, I think it’s unfair to make so many assumptions about a candidate because he enjoys an author/philosopher and understands why the writer has certain views. I’m just sayin’, I’m a big fan of Sylvia Plath’s novels, short stories, poetry and journals. I understand some of her thoughts. However, that does not mean I am going to seal off my kitchen then stick my head in an oven. Let’s be serious, people.

The media is going about this the wrong way. You don’t decide a candidate’s true nature or your vote by a reading list.

You decide a candidate’s true nature and your vote based on the music they listen to.

Joe Biden – Unfortunately, I can find no record of Biden talking love of music (or love of books for that matter). This confirms my theory that our current V.P. would probably be more effective as a Vince McMahon-type figure in the pro-wrestling circuit. He’s sort of loud and brainless. This is the same guy that told a group of Democrats in Virginia, “If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there’s still a 30 percent chance we’re going to get it wrong.” Like I said, I was unable to track down any song old Joe enjoys. I imagine, though, he’s a big fan of Scarecrow’s ditty “If I Only Had a Brain” from “The Wizard of Oz”.

Paul Ryan – The V.P. hopeful has said his favorite band is Rage Against the Machine, which is incredibly ironic for a number of reasons. To see a married-into-money, suit-and-tie Republican touting the music of a hard rock band is odd, especially when the band’s music is all about raging against the machine – government, politics, money and man. Even the band pointed that out this week. In fact, Ryan’s favorite band pretty much said they hate him. Can you imagine Justin Bieber telling a teenage girl he hates her as a fan? I bet Ryan went into a bathroom stall somewhere and cried while listening to Machine’s “Renegades of Funk” on repeat on his iPod. The band was the only music I could link Ryan to but if he loves Ayn Rand, I bet he loves all those anti-government musicians like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Cat Stevens. And Stevens is Muslim now, so I guess that means Ryan is Muslim as well.

Mitt Romney – Always on the campaign trail, the presidential hopeful has his favorite songs and released his personal playlist recently. Judging from the music, Romney is an emotionally sensitive man who will likely be often found hiding under his Oval Office desk, crying, if he wins the presidency. “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Soggy Bottom Boys? “Crying” by Roy Orbison? “Over the Rainbow” by Willie Nelson? Come on, Romney. You’ve got to be a cowboy willing to ride through hell on Sunday to be president. Have you seen Russia’s Vladimir Putin? He’s not going to tolerate a pansy during meetings. Romney seems like a very nice gentleman but I think Girl Scouts could make him cry.

Barack Obama – We all know Obama likes to party. He’s danced on Ellen Degeneres’ talk show and he’s been to more Beyonce performances than military bases.

The thing is – the prez has the best music taste. He has music from all genres (except rap) and when you compare it to Romney’s list, Biden’s lack of love for anything human and Ryan’s odd taking with a hard rock group, Obama really blows them out of the water. “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MG’s; “Keep Me in Mind” by the Zac Brown Band; “The Weight” by Aretha Franklin; “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green; and “We Take Care of Our Own” by Bruce Springsteen? Really, Obama is a man after my own playlist.

Sure, he hasn’t really done a thumbs-up job when it comes to the presidency, but who needs a good president when you have a president with great taste in music?

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Posted by Graphic Designer 2 on Aug 22 2012. Filed under Editorial Columns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.