In his 1970 novel, "Being There", the late Jerzy Kosinski conceived a gardener named Chance who gains fame and credibility as a political pundit as the consequence of saying things so simply that anyone can read anything into his words. Chance seemed a precursor at the time of a voting public who could elect anyone so long his or her sound bites matched the lowest common denominator. "Being There" was a satiric expansion of Mencken's enduring quip, "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents more and more closely the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Chance and Mencken's moron don't fully capture what draws Florida voters to Gov. Scott who -- if polls are correct -- could be re-elected in November.
In a Miami Herald OPED today, Michael Putney blasts Gov. Scott for his unwillingness to answer reporters' questions and accuses him of "disrespecting voters". Take that, sir!
But there is another way of understanding Gov. Scott. He is an actor playing the role, based on the other role he played with great success: a wealthy entrepreneur. He is certainly not a moron.
Scott's performance in front of reporters reflects his awareness that the voting public isn't very educated, doesn't absorb much more about politics than can fit in a sound bite on a television ad, and is easily riled up by fear of strangers and threats to job security.
Scott brought to the Executive Mansion a keen sense of business accomplishment and wealth creation based on playing hardball in the health care industry; that is to say, by playing inside the lines -- or barely -- of a service industry where the most profit is gained by those who best leverage the system against itself. Outcomes for the paying public?
The only metric that matters in the Rick Scott world is the bottom line profit. Who can argue with his success, measured as it is by hundreds of millions of net worth and the bubble -- private jets, for one -- that accompany great wealth?
Rick Scott isn't Kosinski's Chance the gardener or Mencken's Moron. He is a smart cynic who re-applied knowledge gained from tethering his fortune to government from the outside to working the same skill set inside government. He is a student of what works and what works in Tallahassee is money.
At this point in Rick Scott's political life, governing is about holding onto power. Nothing gets in or out except the luminous sheen of assertions turned meaningless by repetition, while the busy work of operators goes on behind the scenery. If GOP, libertarian or independent voters don't hold him accountable to any other standard, why should he change? Why should he answer any reporter's questions?
Chance and Mencken's moron don't fully capture what draws Florida voters to Gov. Scott who -- if polls are correct -- could be re-elected in November.
In a Miami Herald OPED today, Michael Putney blasts Gov. Scott for his unwillingness to answer reporters' questions and accuses him of "disrespecting voters". Take that, sir!
But there is another way of understanding Gov. Scott. He is an actor playing the role, based on the other role he played with great success: a wealthy entrepreneur. He is certainly not a moron.
Scott's performance in front of reporters reflects his awareness that the voting public isn't very educated, doesn't absorb much more about politics than can fit in a sound bite on a television ad, and is easily riled up by fear of strangers and threats to job security.
Scott brought to the Executive Mansion a keen sense of business accomplishment and wealth creation based on playing hardball in the health care industry; that is to say, by playing inside the lines -- or barely -- of a service industry where the most profit is gained by those who best leverage the system against itself. Outcomes for the paying public?
The only metric that matters in the Rick Scott world is the bottom line profit. Who can argue with his success, measured as it is by hundreds of millions of net worth and the bubble -- private jets, for one -- that accompany great wealth?
Rick Scott isn't Kosinski's Chance the gardener or Mencken's Moron. He is a smart cynic who re-applied knowledge gained from tethering his fortune to government from the outside to working the same skill set inside government. He is a student of what works and what works in Tallahassee is money.
At this point in Rick Scott's political life, governing is about holding onto power. Nothing gets in or out except the luminous sheen of assertions turned meaningless by repetition, while the busy work of operators goes on behind the scenery. If GOP, libertarian or independent voters don't hold him accountable to any other standard, why should he change? Why should he answer any reporter's questions?
25 comments:
Ugh. I'm counting the days until Scott is booted out of office. I don't even want to contemplate any other possibility come November. Floridians need to understand
How critical it is to vote.
A different group than the tools who re-elected Obama. Tools come in every shape and size.
It's safe to say we are a country of tools, or is it fools?
The answer is in the article:
"Mencken's enduring quip, "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents more and more closely the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Yep, looking back we can say: been there, done that.
Just hoping not to repeat history over and over again, at all Gov. levels.
An actor? Playing a role?
Look no further than Charlie Crist!
I dont like Rick Scott. But after watching Obama destroy America, the last thing I want to see in office is an Obama supporter like Crist.
Obama is a thinking President, not a knee-jerk, by the seat of his pants, emotional dummy. Being leader of the free world is a huge responsibility, and he understands important dimensions of the job. He has much information and details that others will never know about. For all intents and purposes, it is basically him and God. That is why when we look for someone for President we are looking for someone with deep American values, respect for human life, an ability to process vast amount of information, and an ability to lead inspite of criticism. While we have no idea what will happen on their watch, he know that whatever happens, they have our best interest at heart. I will take Obama any day over the crazy leaders in the republican party.
I would reelect him
Reelect Scott? I don't think so. Looks like the Scott trolls are out in force. You don't fool us.
I would reelect Obama and Crist. Crist was a great Governor.
J said... like Rick Scott. But after watching Obama destroy America..."
So J, when exactly was America destroyed?
Be aware that the readers of this blog are too sophisticated to be influenced by the tripe that you pull out of your anus.
dean
It would have to be limited information voters, people who believe in self-mutilation, and self-hatred. Or people who have been paid to support, encourage others to vote for him, or paid directly to vote for him.
You are right, at the core Obama is a good person. These republicans rotten at the core.
thanks to obama, this is not the year for democrats. baldy lucks out again. put the blame on the golfer-in-chief.
Who ever supports Obama's impeachment gets my vote.
Rick Scott came from humble upbringings in public housing and built his own successful company. Governor Scott has brought over 500,000 jobs to our state while keeping education funding high, while still being able to cut taxes 40 times! He is the American success story and has showed us that Republican fiscal policies work. The only reason people don't like him is because he comes across as an awkward individual, but everybody is a little weird. If you want BS hot air Charlie Crist who smiles and kisses babies and says whatever you want to hear, which is never the truth, then you must want to return Florida to 11.1% unemployment like it was under Crist, of course he'll use the economic recession as an excuse. Governor Scott has been nothing but great for Florida! He dropped the unemployment rate in our state by over 5%! I couldn't agree with him more when he says "If you want good healthcare, get a job." He has lived in poverty and built his way up, he knows what it takes to create jobs and create a healthy economic state for our state. I am proud to say "Let's Get to Work!"
PS: Notice that Charlie Crist never held the positions of Education Commissioner, Attorney General, or Governor for more than one term. He is always trying to go someplace else, he ran away when Florida needed him. He was too busy trying to be John McCain's running mate when he should've been focusing on helping our state. Then he ran away to run for the senate. It's hilarious how Charlie Crist governed and held the offices of state representative, education commissioner, attorney general, and governor as a Republican. Then after over 20 years in politics he decides to be a Democrat. Charlie Crist is whoever Charlie Crist needs to be. For goodness sake, even Karen Thurman has stated that "His only core belief is personal ambition."
Rick Scott is not a career politician, he is an intelligent businessman, father, and grandfather. AND A FANTASTIC GOVERNOR!!
Rick Scott is not only standing in the way of progress for the state, he is doing his best to hurt us.
Why would an allegedly intelligent "entrepreneur" spend $75 million of his own money to land a $130k a year job?
We will kick Rick Scott out of office! Beyond this state election, we have got to do something about Congress. We pay them good money and give them staff to compromise, make laws, and keep this country going. When they collectively fail to do their jobs, what recourse do we have? Other than elections, is there any legal way to get them out of office, or get our money back from them for work they did not perform?
Hello, I do not really like Mr. Scott, but I personally think that the democratic candidate is terrible. The king of Flip-Flop, terrible candidate. I will vote for any independent running for office.
What kind of voter would re-elect Rick Scott?
Anyone who realizes that the alternative is a sel-serving, gutless man with no convictions, no beliefs, no ethics, who will change with the wind.
Jim Morin's cartoon in the Miami Herald this week said it best: Charlie Crist would change political party again if he thought it would benefit him.
As a real democrat, I can't vote for Charlie Crist. He is a political opportunist who will change his position if it benefits him. I have seen him in action from my undergraduate days at FSU where he didn't have any core beliefs.
Regarding Governor Scott, he is a crook! Period!!
I feel sorry for Florida's voters as they have sad choices between Scott, Crist, Gimenez, Levine, and Bell with the unlimited amounts of political contributions. Where are the days of the unfunded underdogs like Askew, Chiles, Graham, and Hawkins?
In summary, Florida can be brought for pretty cheap!
Nan Rich for Governor!
Nan Rich for Governor!
Someone scared to death of making Charlie Crist governor again.
When you see so-called democrats supporting Rick Scott, and trying to hurt Charlie Crist, please know that they are PAID Rick Scott operatives. These are the kinds of dirty tricks that republicans use to try to win. Normally there is a PAID ringer in the race. With no ringer, they look for money-seeking democrats who would sell their mothers for money to use to hurt the democratic candidate. Simply listen to what they say and do, and you will know who they are.
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