Why Not A President Who's "Dancing On The Ceiling?"

I have been watching our future Presidential candidates caucus and spar all over the USA and seen what they stand for and it makes me gag like a contestant on Fear Factor.

Some guy named after a baseball glove that relishes putting people out of work, another guy named after a slinky lizard, which wanted his ex-wife to agree to letting him be unfaithful and a slew of other characters that inspire all the confidence of the cast of a “SpongeBob Squarepants” cartoon.

Recently, I found myself in another establishment along Hempstead Turnpike that serves glasses of chilled alcoholic beverages made from malted grain that come from a tap and fresh pretzels, waiting for the athletic game of the evening to start. Somehow the conversation on my side of the squared bar drifted to politics.

I usually try to avoid conversations about politics, religion, immigration and intricate medical procedures in places with alcohol. I usually start with a non-descript thought provoking comment like, “Isn’t a ventriloquist dummy who makes pre-prepared speeches and sings just a puppet that lip synchs?” which normally evokes a whole assortment of comical responses. However, this time the man sitting next to me quickly responded with, “ Isn’t a politician who makes pre-prepared speeches and rhetoric just a puppet too?” 

Apparently, this wizened and educated gentleman was an adjunct college professor of history. And after a few minutes of amazingly enlightening conversation, he said something I found to be astounding, but with a host of logical, rational reasons to support his arguments, some of which I will try to share.

It is this person’s opinion (not mine) that a perfect candidate for President of the United States of America is Lionel Richie. This person believes that Lionel has all the qualifications to make this country great once again. He said that having a President of color is a concept that is long past due and he would like not to see that important contribution marred by the current Commander and Chief. He feels that our next leader should be someone who has led, but not one of the current members of the donkey and elephant circus that is currently in government.

He feels that it should be someone who is used to speaking from the heart to the media, has traveled the world on business and dealt with world leaders prior to his election. It should be someone who has dealt with political backstabbing like in Hollywood, exemplifies an American upbringing, has worked with members of a security force and is well liked by many all over the world, which makes a ton of sense, so I explored the facts after I left and here is what I found.

Lionel Richie (born June 20, 1949) is currently a 63-year-old successful American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Richie grew up on the campus of Tuskegee Institute and was fascinated by the accomplishments of the Tuskegee airmen and other minority accomplishments growing up. He is wealthy and sophisticated and has a level head. He owns 16 super successful companies with thousands of loyal, happy employees. He was one of the writers and organizers of “We Are The World,” which brought musicians from all genres together and unified the world for a short time.  

Richie is very popular with Jews, Arabs, Asians and many other peoples of varied ethnic backgrounds and diversified religions and cultures. The public knows about the embarrassing members of his family and past, so he has nothing to hide. He has done more for the poor and other American citizens to date than many of the candidates did. Richie is a true American, from head to toe. He allows his actions to speak louder than his words. On May 30, 2010, Richie performed at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington D.C., singing  "America the Beautiful." Richie himself is from an upstanding military family. And the list of accomplishments goes on and on. So this idea has some real merit.    

Maybe the next time I find myself in a similar establishment waiting for the athletic game of the evening to start and am looking for a thought provoking comment with which to pass the time with other patrons, I might try, “So what do YOU think if Lionel Ritchie ran for President of the United States of America?” And maybe on my upcoming presidential ballot, I’ll even use him as my write in vote. Truly!