think4yourself

politicalprof:

I am really tired of this photo being used to mock Mitt Romney.

Seriously. This photo does not represent the “fall” of Mitt Romney. It represents the strength of American democracy.

The essence of democratic culture is expressed here. We elect—or reject—people. Those who offer themselves up for election get no more and no fewer votes than anyone else. And when their time is up, they move on. Next.

And don’t kid yourself: it happens to everyone. When Barack Obama lands in Chicago on January 20, 2017, for example, his limo will likely enjoy a police escort to his house. The next time he goes out, however, the Secret Service agent driving his car will stop at the red light at the end of his street. Ten years after that, Obama will either have to drive himself or hire a driver: his Secret Service protection will go away at that point. 

This is a good thing, not a bad one. It is a reminder that those we elect—or reject—are not, in the end, “different.” Indeed, things might be a lot better if Harry Reid (Senate majority leader) didn’t live full time in a hotel, or if House Speaker John Boehner had to rake leaves in the fall.

This picture exemplifies the essence of a democratic culture at its best, not its worst.

Mitt Romney gets to go grocery shopping now. He gets to be whatever kind of human being he wants to be. Leave him be and be thankful that that’s the way it works.