Can we talk about politics?

I know. I know. Many of you are sick and tired of politics and don’t want to read another column about it. Sure, it’s like a trip to the dentist; you only go if you have a toothache. But we’re in the midst of political chaos, and some people are treating it like it’s the latest season of a reality show.

And that’s exactly what it’s been like. Politicians in D.C., bless their hearts, seem to have developed a remarkable talent for doing everything except what they were elected to do. It’s like sending someone to the store to buy milk, but they come back with a pet giraffe. It’s impressive, to be sure, but it’s not what I needed (and how am I going to fit it in the fridge?). Meanwhile, Americans are stuck watching a circus.

I’ve seen more effective decision-making by preschoolers trying to name a classroom hamster than by politicians in Washington. Over the last few weeks, the House of Representatives has been airing its version of “The Bachelor: Politics Edition,” and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was working overtime to get a rose. He did something quite unexpected in his conference. He did his job. McCarthy prevented a shutdown by working with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through mid-November.

Did his colleagues congratulate him? Nope. Politicians are more obsessed with power than squirrels hoarding nuts for a Maine winter. The prize for ensuring that millions of federal employees and military personnel continued to get paid, that flights weren’t delayed, that infrastructure projects continued, etc.? McCarthy was fired. Who better to lead the charge than the man few congressional members would trust to babysit their teenage granddaughters: Rep. Matt Gaetz. For the first time in our great nation’s history, the Speaker of the House was voted out. Gaetz, however, didn’t line up a replacement. And so, the House has taken another week off while wannabe Speakers jockey for that rose and continue to treat politics like a high school popularity contest.

Speaking of popularity contests, the Senate had previously aired a riveting episode of “America’s Next Top Model, Senate Version.” Senators were more interested in who’s wearing the snazziest suit than health care reform or childhood poverty and revised their dress code. “Yes, we know children are the poorest age group in America,” they said, “but did you see what that senator wore yesterday?”

Yes, it’s hard to believe anyone cares about policies or governing right now. Democrats are thinking Christmas came early. Will the chaos in the House assure them a change of power in November? Tune in to find out! Meanwhile, Republicans have stopped governing altogether to start their production of “Hunger Games: GOP Edition.”

In many ways, politics in Maine is better. Yet, if you’ve been watching, “Survivor: Wicked Mainah Edition,” you’ll know there’s plenty of intrigue here too. In the most recent episodes, the state issued pandemic food cards for children to buy groceries. It was a bit of a mess and families and schools were confused. Rep. Joshua Morris was right to criticize the “sloppiness” of the rollout. But his outrage that some children shouldn’t receive $40 for groceries because they come from “rich families” felt like someone yelling, “Breaking News: Woman Finds Six Pieces of Firewood on Her Doorstep!” If she can use it to build herself a nice fire on a cold night, so be it. If she doesn’t need it, I’m sure she knows someone who can.

And while we joke about older politicians thinking TikTok is just the sound of a clock, locally, we have mayors who like to post TikToks draped in a bath towel, or poll what they should get for breakfast at McDonald’s. There are plenty of people who can’t afford to eat at McDonald’s at all. Americans are struggling, and Mainers aren’t exempt. Groceries are becoming luxury items. And nearly half of Maine households have debt tied to medical expenses. It’s easy to understand why people want to escape from their reality.

Americans need politicians who are serious, not ones who use their office, our government, and our country for sport.

But America isn’t entertainment. And we shouldn’t treat it like a reality show where we can change the channel and forget about it. Yet, while we’ve been watching our cat videos because we can’t stand politics, politicians have been acting like teenagers whose parents left them alone for the weekend.

So please, for the love of democracy, let’s keep our eyes on what’s really happening in politics. Remember, we’re not the audience. We’re the directors and it’s time to yell, “Action!” Pay attention. Hold politicians accountable. Run for office. Advocate. And vote.

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