Despite the political rancor, the uncouth remarks by VP Cheney on the Senate floor, and the ontological struggle over stem cell research, everyone seems to agree that the United States lacks imagination. This is something of a paradox because America invented the toilet bowel, rocket science, and toothpaste in a tube. Either America has started a slow decline or it has difficulty thinking outside the box (most American inventions were inside the box).
Be that as it may, the 9/11 Commission specifically cited the extremely low IQ (Imagination Quotient) in the Bush administration (and previous administrations). The Commission charged the government with Group Think and a lack of openness to outside ideas.
And this comes as no surprise. Richard Dent. Professor of Psychology at Richmond University, UK, "In the last twenty years the only one who showed imagination in Washington was Bill Clinton and he was almost for nailed by the literal-thinking, God-fearing, righteous Republican cabal.
"What does America expect? You have a government largely made up of aging
well-fed white males whose very existence is tied to the status quo. These guys are all quos. Ninety nine percent are in secure districts due to gerrymandering by both parties. When someone leaves office he (yes, most are he's) walks across the street and becomes a lobbyist. So you get more status, more quo.
"Every couple of years these unimaginative white men wave the flag, trumphet their belief in God, and sometimes send someone else's sons and daughters to die in unneccessary wars. There's not an ounce of imagination in the Congress except when it concerns maintaining the status quo.
"Very few Republicans wanted the 9/11 Commission, including President Bush. who stonewalled as long as he could. The families of the 3,000 dead forced his hand.
"Now everyone is getting imaginative. Bush says he's going to spend more time with kindergarten students because they make interesting associations. He might even complete his reading of 'My Pet Goat.'
"Congress is no less audacious. Right after morning prayer Congress will listen to poetry readings by rap poets. Heavy metal music will be piped through the halls of Congress and the offices to nudge the right side of the collective brains and to keep members awake. Weeklong hearings in October will be devoted to"Theories of Imagination & Political Discourse."
"While there is considerable debate about the need for an Intelligence Czar, there is little disagreement about the need for a Cabinet Level Department of Imagination. As President Bush so eloquently remarked, 'Imagination is something that is not easy to imagine. That's why we need more of it. I will do everything in my power to reduce tax burdens on the people so they will be free to have imagination. Imagination made this country great and we can return to our forefathers if government lifts the yoke from our shoulders.
"Congress is on board, though some members are worrying quietly that too much imagination will mean too much free speech. Southern Congreemen worry that this new freedom could slander the Lord's name"
Professor Dent notes that "they seems to miss the slander on the Lord when we send our young men and women to die based on a lies, deceit, and stubborn folly, all carefully wrapped in the flag and God's name."
Already the compensatory force in Congress is at work. While everyone is in favor of the Imagination Czar, they want to be careful it's not Howard Stern or Paris Hilton.
Tom Ridge's name has been mentioned. As Professor Dent remarks, "At least this white guy has a passion for color."
Posted by Chuck at August 12, 2004 04:32 PM | TrackBack