A series of essays.....
 |
| THE ENERGIZER BUNNY IS DOWN FOR THE COUNT Picture Courtesy www.flickr.com |
.....as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E. Hughes
How do they do it?
Such a simple question. But, can it garner a simple response?
High energy, seemingly non-stop itineraries, and selling/defending one's self each exposed step along the journey, pretty much sums up the political candidate running in a Presidential Primary Race. Every four years, 'we the people' become more and more aware of this hectic, fast-paced schedule due to constant media coverage and the twenty-four hour scrutiny of each candidate.
Growing older hasn't debilitated me whatsoever in the sense that climbing an Irish mountain or swimming sixty laps of the pool are activities best not left shelved in my doting old age. A few aches and pains come along with the territory but, most of us wear them like a badge of courage marking the long, full lives we've been blessed with, so far.
It is essential that we play hard, work passionately, which helps to maintain mental clarity, and rest incrementally while eating well to sustain health and well-being.
Even though running for political office would appear to completely drain a person both physically and mentally, the possibility of becoming the next leader of the Free World would certainly be a hyper adrenaline rush; seeing an increase in the rate of blood circulation, breathing, and preparing the muscles of the body for extreme exertion. High levels of adrenaline, the hormone epinephrine, can cause these temporary increases due to the amount of sugar in the blood, which can be used by the body as fuel when more alertness or greater physical effort is required. These hormones prepare the body for "fight or flight" in conditions of stress.
Wow! That completely explains why Hillary, confidently, consumed an entire ice cream sundae on camera during the New York Primary!
The old adage, 'what goes up must come down,' would surely apply here. Gravitational pull is a force to be reckoned with whether speaking of facial wrinkles (not that I would know anything about this example!), planes flying from place to place, or throwing a stone up into the air....these things can't remain 'up' forever! Even the body while 'up' on adrenaline, will come back down to normal hormone levels, eventually.
When do these stalwart political warriors crash and burn-out along the long road of campaign living? After all, they are only human, aren't they?
 |
| THE BUNNY GETTING ZAPPED WITH A HIT OF ADRENALINE....POWER CHARGED! |
Both Hillary and Bernie have several years on me and they are, seemingly, nonstop-able! Not that you would ever find me with my eyes on such an enormous prize but, I would settle for at least one 'bestseller,' before too much longer....
Anyway, the question remains, how can such a fast pace be sustained without interruption for long periods of time without taking a toll upon each candidate? Motivation, competition, and power. These are the aromatic carrots being dangled from the tall White House ceilings today. It's the 'Out with the old. In with the new' kind of vibes that are reverberating around Washington D.C. these days as President Obama and First Lady, Michelle, begin the arduous task of vacating their home of nearly eight years. Your comforting presence there will be gravely missed by so many, Mr. President.
By the way, in this age of social media, we can find out a lot about a person just by what he decides is necessary to tweet about others on his Twitter account. His (difficult for me to even type his name) shaming of the color 'Red' has been highly successful given a heart filled with hate, fear, and ignorance, as well as via personal hair coloring and fake skin tone. I suppose it doesn't take much time or thought for some candidates to show their hate for others these days.
The point is......and, I am not referring to being pointless and asking Bernie to please refrain from impolitely indicating things with his fingers.....are we ultimately the 'winners' here if it means taking precious time off of the life of our candidates by putting them through such a grueling campaign process?
Taxpayers, the press, and economists often speak about the high cost of campaigning with its many corrupt implications. Well, I am here to empathize with the political candidates themselves, their demanding schedules, and the idea that they must be seen and heard in the right place and time at any given moment of the day or night!
All I ask is that the educated and intelligent among us choose wisely this November after considering all of the facts. May the right, albeit exhausted, candidate hang a hat in the White House this November and serve to continue the long, difficult job that Barack Obama so astutely began with honor and grace for all people....no matter the color of their skin or religious beliefs.
Both of you should get some much needed rest whenever you can. The next few weeks promise to be a roller coaster of a ride.
I am very proud to say that.....
Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved
