Kevin Spacey, say it ain’t so!!
House of Cards – A Precursor to Presidential Politics?
If anyone of you were like me, and spent their entire weekend binge watching all 52 episodes of the latest hit political drama House of Cards, then we should talk. This talk is possibly more appropriate for the experts in the field of mental health but, at the moment, we’ll keep the conversation focused on the show and its true intent to sensationalize our nation’s way of political correctness; if that’s possible.
When watching HoC and the ruthlessness of President Francis Underwood’s shenanigans unfold, I found myself at a conundrum. For many of us whom often take our own life experiences and compare them to the experiences of the character’s portrayed on TV or in the movies many are asking the same here such as myself — if truth is becoming stranger than fiction this campaign season.
What I discovered throughout the numerous hours of my eyes glued to the boob tube was the eerie similarities between the two, no matter whether it was fact or fiction. Most obviously the latest series is set in an election year; we are in the 2016 presidential race. Asked in an interview which is more surprising — the new season or the presidential race — actor Kevin Spacey who plays the unassuming role of President Underwood tells viewers not to read too much into the hype and its “silly” to compare the hit Netflix series to 2016 presidential politics.
“It’s sort of silly to compare the two because they’re both a little bit unpredictable and audiences have no idea where we’re going to go and what we’re going to do. And that’s, I think, part of the enjoyment that an audience has — they don’t really know.”
But, is it really that silly? Silly so much so that on one side of the fence of campaigns has seen Donald Trump, the multi-millionaire real-estate mogul turned network television celebrity, not to forget his marriage to a supermodel, now emerged front runner of the Republican race has people questioning whether his plight to win the candidacy is really for the benefit of the American public for his own self gain?
I would agree with Spacey that in both instances each is unpredictable, however, isn’t the similarity in how unpredictable each are is what is causing fear in the eyes of those who believe Trump as President will lead to the overall demise of the American race? But, what was most striking to me are the tactics used by the candidates in the show and those in real-life. I found the methods by Underwood and his competitors had merit, and seemingly appeared to be sought as effective ways to persuading the public. As both reveal a form of theatrics, unorthodox tactics to sway public opinion, and a strategy that involves a flow of cash to support certain legislation originating from a district that could move them one step closer to winning the nomination and, quite possibly, the entire presidential run.
Unbeknownst to most, to include myself, who have not paid much attention to the intricacies of running alongside the campaign trail, the show has invigorated me to want to know more about what really goes on in an election year. However, along with my feeling of curiosity was a feeling of fear. After watching the series from beginning to end, almost non-stop (yes I have issues) the show left a bad taste in mouth, leading me through a future path of unknowns for what may be expected to occur in this 2016 race. As it offered me an unattractive and despicable climax that I’m left to question if the drama-dy is really a predictor for how we as the freest country of the world would ultimately lead to who we nominate and elect as our Commander-in-Chief.
Kevin Spacey says to not be fooled “by the fact that we seem to be having entertainment as news.” He goes on to say that “it’s because the news divisions decided that money and ratings were more important than reporting.”
Edward Murrow warned us in 1964 that when news divisions are in a competition to make money and to get high ratings it’s no longer news, its entertainment. Unfortunately, this seems to be the main ploy of the candidates in the latest 2016 political bout. The one who has the most money, with the most ratings, is now the most popular. Is the distinction between entertainment and what’s real silly now? I’m starting to think not.
This article was submitted by a member of the Plugged-in Team.
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