Are politics a highly-evolved skill executed only by those who have put in their time, learned the procedures, and developed the experience necessary to refine this skill? Or are politics an innate part of human competition that can be performed by children with no experience in politics what so ever? Let the viewer decide.
It's Day 14 of 40 in Bonanza City, and the Book of Central Planning (aka the Pioneer Journal) opens with "The winds of change are blowing in Bonanza City." The Journal indicates that simply having been in a leadership position is not always enough to remain in a leadership position. The Journal calls for elections.
As the upcoming elections are announced, a town resident asks if they will be allowed to cast a vote for the leader of each of the districts. They are told that they will only be voting for the leader of their own district. (Hmm... These children seem to be able to handle the concepts of single member districts.) We watch as the Yellow District challenger begins practicing his professional political speech. The Green District meets as a district and decides that no one will run against their current leader. The Blue District leader physically attempts to avoid his challenger as she approaches him to announce her candidacy.
The Council calls the townspeople together, and each Council Member makes a speech on why they should be retained in office, and then call forth for challengers. There is no need for fancy qualification procedures in Bonanza City, nor any possibility of a runoff. The two pre-announced challengers for the Blue and Yellow teams step forward, as well as a "dark horse" candidate from the Red team, shocking the Red councilmember. The common thread of the incumbents' speeches is "I will work harder, please give me another chance." The best-received speech is from the Yellow challenger, who calls out his opponent for her low level of performance, and says to the town "don't tell me you are going to vote for me, tell me you agree with me." After the speeches are over, the Red incumbent tries to talk the challenger out of running by telling him that the job is not as glamorous as he might think.
The townspeople have another challenge event, and the current Town Council feels the re-election pressure as they make their decision over which reward the town will receive.
Candidates then mysteriously find large poster paper and markers and being making their political posters. Townspeople from other districts, perhaps feeling that they had no other way to express their views, begin to tear down posters of other districts' candidates that they don't want to see elected. Of course, we know that destroying political signs is a childlike behavior that would never be entertained by adults in the real world.
And that's it. The campaign season is over, with nary a sponsored debate, or any endorsements, no negative postcards, or even much door-knocking. We go to the town meeting/election, where we find that, of the three Council members up for election, one is retained, and two are replaced.
The careful WayneWho analysis of the win/loss point is as follows: The two incumbents who were voted out of office were the most vocal on positions that were contrary to the desire of the community. Those two were beaten by widely diverse challengers: one was the most vocal and polished, with a history of leadership, and the other was a virtual unknown who wanted to get his points across. The incumbent who was retained had been more passive in his governing, and thus there was not as clear of a rallying point against him. That election came down to personality decisions and less of a sense by the voters that the incumbent must be replaced at all costs.
Next week, Bonanza City deals with a trash control problem. Perhaps they will need to impose some sort of assessment (fee) to control and dispose of the city's refuse.
It's Day 14 of 40 in Bonanza City, and the Book of Central Planning (aka the Pioneer Journal) opens with "The winds of change are blowing in Bonanza City." The Journal indicates that simply having been in a leadership position is not always enough to remain in a leadership position. The Journal calls for elections.
As the upcoming elections are announced, a town resident asks if they will be allowed to cast a vote for the leader of each of the districts. They are told that they will only be voting for the leader of their own district. (Hmm... These children seem to be able to handle the concepts of single member districts.) We watch as the Yellow District challenger begins practicing his professional political speech. The Green District meets as a district and decides that no one will run against their current leader. The Blue District leader physically attempts to avoid his challenger as she approaches him to announce her candidacy.
The Council calls the townspeople together, and each Council Member makes a speech on why they should be retained in office, and then call forth for challengers. There is no need for fancy qualification procedures in Bonanza City, nor any possibility of a runoff. The two pre-announced challengers for the Blue and Yellow teams step forward, as well as a "dark horse" candidate from the Red team, shocking the Red councilmember. The common thread of the incumbents' speeches is "I will work harder, please give me another chance." The best-received speech is from the Yellow challenger, who calls out his opponent for her low level of performance, and says to the town "don't tell me you are going to vote for me, tell me you agree with me." After the speeches are over, the Red incumbent tries to talk the challenger out of running by telling him that the job is not as glamorous as he might think.
The townspeople have another challenge event, and the current Town Council feels the re-election pressure as they make their decision over which reward the town will receive.
Candidates then mysteriously find large poster paper and markers and being making their political posters. Townspeople from other districts, perhaps feeling that they had no other way to express their views, begin to tear down posters of other districts' candidates that they don't want to see elected. Of course, we know that destroying political signs is a childlike behavior that would never be entertained by adults in the real world.
And that's it. The campaign season is over, with nary a sponsored debate, or any endorsements, no negative postcards, or even much door-knocking. We go to the town meeting/election, where we find that, of the three Council members up for election, one is retained, and two are replaced.
The careful WayneWho analysis of the win/loss point is as follows: The two incumbents who were voted out of office were the most vocal on positions that were contrary to the desire of the community. Those two were beaten by widely diverse challengers: one was the most vocal and polished, with a history of leadership, and the other was a virtual unknown who wanted to get his points across. The incumbent who was retained had been more passive in his governing, and thus there was not as clear of a rallying point against him. That election came down to personality decisions and less of a sense by the voters that the incumbent must be replaced at all costs.
Next week, Bonanza City deals with a trash control problem. Perhaps they will need to impose some sort of assessment (fee) to control and dispose of the city's refuse.
6 comments:
Their is a big difference between campaigning and being an elected official. The sad part with most politicians today is that they are campaigning from the seat which means the desicions they make are tainted. Some elected officials can keep the two lives apart, but most only look to the next seat and moving up the ladder. What was cool on the Kid Nation show was how these same thoughts have begun to show through. I would never have watched this program if it was not for reading about it in this blog. I must say I am a reluctant viewer, but a view of Kid Nation just the same.
If I wanted a recap of tv shows, I'd get a TVGuide.
As an avid WayneWho reader please get a TV Guide because the editorial content that in contains is probably more your speed. The rest of us enjoy the 'Un-News' provided by these writers.
Hmmm... I wonder which elected official running for office is upset with Wayne Who now? Jim, Jeanne, Jerry?? Is that one of you? Hmmm... Most young people don't even know what a TVGuide is besided the thing the cable or direct tv box shows on the screen when you hit the 'guide' button, so it must be some 'older' person.
When the kid was tearing down a sign of one of the candidates, and then jumping on it with it with a pogo, it reminded my of how some of our government people act when you question what they are doing. They tend to get upset.
Speaking of elections, I wonder what it would take to get Wayne Who on the ballot for one of the local seats? If Stephen Colbert can run why not Wayne Who?
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