The Sinema Effect

‘Smoke and mirrors’ meet big donors

(Photo courtesy Washington Monthly)

Now that it has been confirmed that a US Senator can effectively derail a President’s legislation financing position, speculation on the role of big donor influence in our politics is long overdue.

Sinema’s main issue is that her wardrobe isn’t big enough. Her styling makeovers not ‘glossy’ enough.

Permit me this small bit of ‘snarkiness.’

The rest is ‘effect at work’ in the public space.

Translation: what we are witnessing is ‘smoke and mirrors’ meet big donors:

First, you maintain discretion, burying conflict under an aura of gravitas. The world assumes you ‘know better,’ ‘have evolved,’ or simply, ‘are seeking re-election.’

Next, you state that you care about ‘coming together,’ ‘riding a bi-partisan swell,’ ‘working for all the American people.’ All noteworthy under the glitz of narcissism and self-serving except this posturing is not yours to claim. There are Party caucus leaders and spokespeople for those tasks: ‘Party affiliation has consequences.’

Next, you field like-minds in the hall of smoke and mirrors and the fun house of Beltway pirouettes. No worries, there are plenty. Mostly white males who look like Central Casting Country Club types. All that sea of blue coats and white faces behind your Gucci shoulder bag. Great photo op.

Next, a wine guzzle here, a European escapade there, and back home to defend ‘why on earth would you deep-six prescription drug price reform in a state with a burgeoning senior population?’ That’s enough to sever ties with your Military Veterans Advisory Council.

Done and done.

Overall, you’re polite, caring, shielding, protecting the American donor class, their interests, their prerogatives.

A true patriot, you are.

October 22