One thing we Americans are very good at is triviallizing the extraordinary. Life itself, and all the many facets of being a human being: relationships, personal abilities, life choices, etc. And what do we do with all that amazing options and choices that face us in life? Reality tv.

Politics, of course, is the epitome of this trivializing process. In all complex matters, some form of simplification is necessary so that non-experts can have some understanding. Simplification is a far different matter, however. It’s one thing to put, for example, national economic policy into terms a layperson can understand. It’s quite another to say Obama’s critique of McCain’s approach to the economy is a sexist slur against Palin.

Trivializing is done by those who do not want a real debate about or examination of the issues. John McCain made it very clear he has but the slightest understanding of economic issues; as Pat Buchanan pointed out, he’s a “war president.” He has stated that he believes, contrary to all facts and the opinions of economists of every political persuasion, that the economy is sound. Very few Americans agree with him. So what can he do to protect himself on the economy, which is the number one issue on voters’ minds?

He takes the economy off the table by slamming Obama, the media and the voters with a range of nonsense that overwhelms all opposition. The economy is not what’s being discussed right now; the major topic of discussion is an idiot merry-go-round about a common folk saying. Trivia. Petty nonsense. Sleight-of-hand.

A vast and cynical, not to mention blatant, disrespect for the American voters and our constitutional system. Sadly, however, this is how Republicans run for office. All politicians simplify the issues and the stands they and their opponents take; various forms of dishonesty have been a part of political processes from the beginning — before the beginning — of our republic. Yet what we’ve seen the GOP introduce into presidential politics in particular since 1988 — Lee Atwater and Willy Horton demonstrating that the ugliest of ads can be the most successful — goes beyond the political norm. Such tactics place winning an election at such a premium, the quality of the winning candidate becomes undermined beyond repair.

John McCain’s tactics may work — I’m doubtful, but he’s doing better in national polls than he has in months, as unreliable as they are — but if he does become president, he will find himself facing a Congress that will, in many important ways, refuse to work with him. They’ll be wanting to withdraw from Iraq, create a universal health care system, cut taxes for the middle class, force corporations and the wealthy to pay more of their fair share, make tough and realistic choices on the economy. On all these issues, Democrats in Congress will be at odds with President McCain, and no one will want to cause him too much stress less he drop dead and Sarah Palin take office.

Trivializing the vital aspects of human life is the desperate act of a person who has no vision of the grandeur and magnificence of what it means merely to be alive. That we live, walk, act, think, create, interact: these abilities, and the various and diverse abilities we each bring to our life’s activities, should humble us in all we do. Reducing the incredible nature of human life to a series of stupid, insincere and cynical political stunts reflects an overarching, and unforgivable, disregard for that most precious of human possessions: life.