NOBODY WINS...

Other than a song by Elton John where he depicts an unhappy childhood with two parents that had exhausted their love for one another; it is the primary conclusion of our reality. We are a few hours away from the last debate between probably the two most flawed candidates to the presidency in American history and less than three weeks from the final "judgement"; both sides have shown us their worst face and in the heat of this passionate exchange we have failed to realize that two individuals that have handsomely benefited from the system want us to believe they have been chosen by a certain divinity to change it. Mr. Trump uses the undeniable proneness of the left to cheat as an excuse to claim that the elections are rigged. Yes we all know the left embraces the theory of by any means necessary, that the rules for identification of voters are somewhat slack, but this is not an issue now; it's been an issue for at least two decades.

Mrs. Clinton, on the other hand, wants us to believe she will right all wrongs and very few people seem interested in asking her why she was part of the Obama administration for four years if there were so many wrongs that hadn't been righted. She constantly swears she will revive the economy if elected; why should we revive something that according to her former boss has totally recovered?

As for we the people; we can only make sure to cast our vote and try and break away from fear mongering and demagogy; two commodities this bitter contest has shown to have plenty of. 

THE REPUBLICAN BURINDAN'S ASS

Hurricane Trump, the event the republican establishment failed to forecast, or the payback orchestrated by one faction against the other, or others within the GOP has not only made this an unusual election in many ways, but has also underscored the growing gap between the leadership and the base of the party. It was clear since day one that the Donald was not the party's sweetheart; and yet he demolished one by one his 16 opponents and against all odds (in a normal election) became the nominee. Some elements within the establishment slowly and grudgingly expressed support for Trump, but some in the apparatus stubbornly remained hostile to the Brooklyn mogul. A sizable chunk of the "chieftains" invoked their deep rooted love for America and/or their fear of drifting towards the wrong course if Trump were elected; as if our great nation had not been flirting with disaster for the last 15 years; former government officials who participated in the ill fated "nation building" in Irak became suddenly appalled by the possibility of hurting America; as though the dire current situation were not partly their fault.

Even after Trump had gathered the necessary votes to be the GOP candidate a few untouchables remained unmoved; thus, distancing themselves not only from the uncomfortable winner but also from the base of the party. Then came the infamous recording in which the businessman turned politician uses the same language most of us would use in the locker room and less graphic than I have heard some women talk, but it was enough to turn grudging support into outright repudiation; in some cases because they couldn't wait for an excuse to abandon ship and in others, as in the case of House Speaker Ryan, to salvage at least the House majority. It is now a matter of how each constituency views Mr Trump; representatives and senators may save their hide or may succumb if the electorate perceives a cut and run attitude. In the end not supporting Trump in a desperate attempt to win the legislative body may end up putting the Republicans against the wall and turn that embattled party into a sad, impotent minority vulnerable to Pelosi's whim

Whichever the outcome of this campaign we all lose, both parties need urgent renewal and someone must warn the establishment that an eviction notice is on its way. It's time to clean the house, and while we're at it, let's clean the Senate as well. One thing is certain: hesitation never pays. 

GOOD OUT OF BAD?

The presence of two candidates so negatively seen by the electorate and so loathed by many as the only real choices we have for our next Commander in Chief is consistent with the power struggle that seems to be taking place in both parties. We tend to think of the powers that be as a monolithic, cohesive and aligned group of privileged individuals making sure they keep the biggest chunk of the pie; and yet, every now and then said group suffers a difficult process of cleansing and realignment; it emulates the snakes and outgrows its own skin. Mrs Clinton's candidacy faced a staunch resistance within some segments of her own party and the elite maneuvering and meddling cost Debbie Wassermann her job. The Republicans on the other hand, did not reach an acceptable deal and a schism seems to be destroying the party from within; two or maybe more factions are fighting one another and the base of the party watches hopelessly as the GOP dismembers itself and serves the presidency in a silver platter to the former First Lady who is in turn so hated that is having a lot of trouble beating Mr Trump; the House of Mirrors of American politics. We the people divided and hostage of our feelings while the puppeteers try to mend fences but appear unable to find some sort of common ground. 

Whilst these processes are organically inevitable and even healthy in the long run, the current juncture places America at a historic low and makes it vulnerable to any thug with a little brain matter foreign or domestic. Some analysts fail to notice how our world has changed and that plausible explanations and conclusions don't necessary mean things are right; not all is quiet in the western front and more skirmishes lurch in the distance. The chaos might be beneficial for the average American that could take the opportunity to seize control of his or her own destiny, but the powerful have made sure to feed us enough ideology and cheap antagonism to keep us divided and oblivious to their weakness. This looks like another missed opportunity when we fail to make the best of an awful situation. Joe and Jane are more likely to settle once again for the lazy boy and live in a Kardashian world than doing away with the dead wood in both major parties. Someone should let them know that delaying solutions usually leads to harsher measures in the end.