Mad World

For a rumor had spread that, while the city was burning, Nero had gone on his private stage and, comparing modern calamities with ancient, had sung of the destruction of Troy. - Tacitus

I know pretentiousness. Just see the above passage. It's one of my many specialties. Economics, on the other hand, well that's certainly beyond my area of expertise. On the bright side, at least I have something in common with John McCain! But unlike that pesky politician, that conniving charlatan, that man with the temperament of a German schoolboy, I will not pretend to be something I am not; nor will I lecture on a subject I know little about.

Aside from self-indulgence and rhetorical flourishes, what I know and love is politics. The characters, the messages, the issues, the endless spectacle - all that jazz. I therefore feel somewhat confident discussing the matter and, on occasions, making rather brazen predictions - nay prophecies. If I can be so bold, let me make one right now:

Today represented a turn of the tide. I am now sure - barring some catastrophic incident or childish misguided faith in the American populace - that Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.

Oh, Amadeus, but How and Why?, you ask, desperately. To that I say, patience, dear reader. All will be explained, on another day, quite soon.

For now, I shall speak this: Today, something dreadful occurred, yet out of the ashes, something wonderful happened. After weeks of desperate ploys and double-talk, reality caught up to John McCain. Sadly, as you surely know, companies folded, markets plummeted, and America plunged deeper in debt. But John McCain, in a moment of distress, exposed himself for the dimwitted, confused man that he has become. I saw it in his eyes - the panic and uncertainty.

In Barack, meanwhile, I saw fire. I saw in his eyes a reflection of the senseless fire that's scorching his beloved nation. I witnessed a man with grace assuaging worries and strength demanding change. It was all quite Divine.

There's no denying that we live in a truly mad world. These are frightening and ominous days indeed. The United States, once a beacon of freedom and prosperity, is on the verge of ruin. The economy, Iraq, energy, torture, health care - the list is endless. A decadent nation balances on the precipice, and, to be sure, controls its own fate. If Barack Obama fails in this epic quest - for it has reached such romantic importance - then there's not much hope left for these foolish Americans. Those innocent know-nothings with their heads in the clouds will soon catch ablaze and perish. Those in power, who are guilty of sparking the chaos, will shrug, distract, and whistle away the day, so detached from reality or devious in heart that they simply continue to play make-believe while Rome burns.