We live in amazing times. Last night as I watched the results come in from "Super Duper Tuesday," I was thinking about how extraordinary what we are witnessing in America is. Even the pundits are stymied. For the first time since Harding...it looks like the next president will be a Senator.
From there the odds become even more fascinating. The four front runners are a middle aged white woman, a young African American man, an elderly white man and white man from a minority religion. Then there's a preacher who seemed to come from nowhere and has NO money who is winning votes because people are willing to work for him for FREE while the white guy who has tons of money and lots of TV ads can't win enough votes to get ahead.
I'm a little dismayed with this new science of hair splitting the vote. No one seems to be embarrassed about divving up the electorate into white votes, black votes, Latino votes, rich votes, poor votes, red states, blue states, youth votes, elderly votes...Hey, where's the American vote? Even more perplexing...there's far more discussion about the likability factor than there is about issues. In fact, anyone who points out issues is now labelled as mean. What??
Oh, who can forget the images of a former president re-running for his or is it her election?
Well, a small town in Michigan has an event taking place this February 23rd which is oddly descriptive. It is the Outhouse 500...an annual event in which teams parade and race uniquely outfitted outhouses along Main St. It's quite a sight and includes: a 5K run, Live Music, Children's events, Art Contest and a Chili Blast. Participants seem to have a blast!
Sometimes, reality is more absurd than fiction, sometimes it's not! With the events shaping up politically this year, I'm not sure which will be more unbelievable. One thing is certain however,...it promises to be a long, long year before this is all over. So, settle down and watch them race the Outhouses! Unbelievable...but verifiably true. :)
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Love the outhouse race footage, and very true about the "hair splitting of votes." As I watched the footage last night I was slightly bothered by who they characterized certain voting demographics.
It seems like they have all this technological capability that they never had before, so they are dissecting every little thing.
I look at it like it gives them something to talk about because it is hard to fill up several hours of just Political talk and opinions. It sounds like they are talking about the same thing.
Jimmy...you're right, but since he's currently running 3rd just behind the guy with a lot of money... and the top 3 right now seem to be senators, I didn't include him. But, with this race, that could change. All things are possible.
Jonathan...me too. Now politicians don't just get the vote...they've got each vote tabulated by race, gender, socio-economic status, demographics...goodness, does being human count?
Lola, Too funny! In regard to the election, I've heard 'change' so many times I ready to... Anyway, it would be nice to hear what they are planning on doing - what their platform is - than the darn word.
Lola, It is troubling, it seems that politics is about separation rather than bringing everyone together. Us vs. Them. I guess the change I'd welcome would be Leadership (that actually leads), that is about what is truly good for the world, rather than pork projects, and partisan gamesmanship.
But's it's pretty exciting that it's not all middle aged white men very much in the race.
Last year a client told me about the "outhouse" race in Coopersville. She said they had so much fun watching the events, and their little ones had a ball with the things set up for them. I love the ingenuity. Perhaps thats why I'm also enjoying the Presidential race this year. The field of candidates is so diverse and different.
Lola, the Outhouse 500 is certainly a unique event. Your observations on the candidates made me really think, since that was the first that I'd stopped and actually looked at their demographics. You are spot on in your descriptions. What an odd bunch, indeed. I'm so ready for this never-ending campaign to finally end, no matter who wins.
Marc, A very unique event. Have lived in Michigan all this time & had never heard of it. :) I'd like to see more specifics about change than just chanting of the word too...we'll see.
Eric..."the politics of separation" is a very astute way of putting it. What is most amazing to me is that this has now become what we consider normal. There have always been parties and large segments within the parties, but this parsing every little snippet is quite an intriguing change. Maybe we have truly entered the Long Tail of Politics. Somehow, I'm not sure that this is a good thing...
Hi Kris, I hadn't heard about the event until this year. Just watching the video was a hoot! This year's race will be more interesting than anything we've witnessed in recent history.
Lola, I loved your election analysis. Yes, we're really mixing it up this year! And the Outhouse 500 reminds me of what one of the main local growth industries is here in DC!
Hi Lola! Just getting over to the GR group to see what is going on! Doesn't this sound like a fun event! Although I have never attended the Outhouse 500 my daughter has participated in the 5K. Proceeds helped her Cross Country team. Adding this event has brought more people out for the Chili Cook Off which is put on by the local Rotary. Did you mention the toilet seat decorating contest? Pictures of that are always fun! We have some creative people tucked away in this little community who know how to put together a great event to bring people out even in the dead of winter!
I just set back a laugh at the political "Experts" making predictions on the outcome and then when it is different they try to analyse it again with all kinds of new justifications Can't they just report on the results we can make our own mind up and IMHO it is none of their business how I voted and if I voted. Thanks for the post.
Terry, I'm totally with you on the issue of the pundits "minding their own busines." Although it is fun to watch them get it wrong so often and then have to back track to figure out where they missed it...
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We live in amazing times. Last night as I watched the results come in from "Super Duper Tuesday," I was thinking about how extraordinary what we are witnessing in America is. Even the pundits are stymied. For the first time since Harding...it looks like the next president will be a Senator.
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