Winning Because Someone Else Loses
It's a schmaltzy look at an everyman who travels to Washington, D.C., to fill a vacant Senate seat in Congress. Jefferson Smith (Stewart) is doe-eyed and amazed by everything he sees on arriving - from the people to the monuments - and is caught up in the history embodied by the Nation's Capital.
Most importantly, he is awed by the responsibility he has to those he represents. Throughout the movie and up to its not very climatic ending, he fulfills his duties as a member of Congress by honoring what's best for his state and constituents - and by sticking to his moral code.
After a recent trip to D.C. and in light of the national debate on health care, it seems we are as far from those ideals as ever. Politics is messy, but without parties and politics you have one side, one power and a monocracy - not a democracy. Therefore we have to learn to get along and work together.
Working together requires compromise. It shouldn't require a "filibuster-proof" majority to pass any piece of legislation. But more importantly, winning should be about doing what is best for the most people - elevating as many people as possible to a better station in life, and treating them as you would want to be treated. Instead, winning has become about making sure the other side loses.
That isn't good politics nor is it good representation. Mr. Smith would leave Washington if was sent there now.
Comments
One good thing -- the corrupt political machine in Mr. Smith controlled information by hijacking the newspapers. Good luck doing that with today's social media and online sources.
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