If you are watching the Democratic National Convention, you must be getting the feeling that you are watching a new kind of TV soap opera: you could watch for days on end without getting any closer to a denouement. Instead, I viewed an old film starring a middle-aged Henry Fonda (photo) and written by Gore Vidal, "Best Man". The story is about the conflict between two leading contenders for a party's presidential nomination taking place at the party's national convention. The infighting in the hotel basement gets dirty by 1960's standards--allegations of mental illness and homosexuality--conditions that might not prove fatal to a presidential candidate nowadays. I mention the film because it illustrates how far we have come from true participatory politics in 40 years. Then, delegates actually could vote their minds (or their bosses' minds) and upset the best laid plans. In the movie the third place candidate becomes the convention's choice after the leading but principled candidate of conscience drops out to prevent his ruthless rival from becoming president. Incidentally the demagogue is played by Cliff Robertson, who also played JFK in the biopic, "PT-109".Today every event is scripted in advance right down to the roll call, and the planned nomination of Barack Obama by acclamation after Hillary Clinton formally and finally concedes on the convention floor. Barack will fill Mile High as only the Broncos have done before. My hope is that he will use the opportunity to tell 75,000 fellow citizens how he intends to govern if they elect him. There will be no question period after. These supporters are only providing a backdrop for the television cameras. But the marathon campaign still has about 70 days to run. Time enough for thoughtful citizens to ask questions, if they meet the candidate on the road. Here are ten I would like to ask, and feel free to use any of them or even your own:
1. Will you close the Guantanamo gulag upon taking office?
2. We seem to be sleep walking toward a military confrontation in the Caucuses. How will you restore friendly relations with Russia?
3. Economists say only a single third-party insurer can effectively and completely control health costs. Why do you not a support universal single payer health care plan?
4. The Taliban is enjoying renewed success in Afghanistan. What's wrong with our strategy there?
5. Do you advocate capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden even if it means conducting covert operations in Pakistan without approval?
6. The Pentagon budget grows ever larger. Can you identify any weapons systems or programs that should be cut so that these savings can be used for civilian purposes?
7. Should the Social Security payroll tax be extended to all citizens, regardless of income level?
8. Do you think expanding wild land preserves has any role in reducing the effect of climate change?
9. Oil companies are making record profits, yet we give them immense tax subsidies such as the depletion allowance. Should these tax subsidies be eliminated?
10. What is your favorite soul food dish?