October 21, 2011 08:27 PM UTC

Is It a Joke If Nobody Laughs?

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• by: JO

I’m referring to Herman Cain, although I could just as well refer to Michelle Bachmann, Ron Paul, Santorum, or Gingrich. All five garner invitations to the serial nano-interviews that pass for Republican “debates.” It may seem laughable to imagine any one of these in a decision-making roll in the Oval Office, but after EIGHT YEARS of George W. Bush, nothing seems impossible!

Certainly, commentators in Europe find some of the current crop laughable, Cain most recently, and I might agree, except for our recent past. Are Republicans who name Cain as their favorite, or Bachmann before him, winking when they answer? We don’t know. On what grounds, besides our own preferences, should we think so?

There is much to be said for the unity of all, or at least most, social trends. Take, for example, the widely reported decline of American education standards vis a vis other industrial countries. Or the prevalence of irrationality evidenced in the size of the American Taliban, aka Christian evangelicals/fundamentalists. Might not these trends explain the appeal of simpleton candidates to simpleton voters?

It’s not too hard to round up evidence of the “decline and fall” of American hegemony in lots of fields–industry, education, global political influence. I fear it is on display during Republican dogs on parade.

And that is a depressing thought indeed. Have we seen the future, is his name Cain? It’s enough to hold a giant prayer rally in Houston!