Training the Next Regime

Okay, truthseekers, here's a weird one. The following passage was copied verbatim from a local community-college schedule of "Community Education" courses, which are offered to the public and not part of any degree program. They include things like computer courses, training to be a notary public or a medical insurance transcriptionist, real estate classes, and so on.

Well, in this particular one, it listed the following class under the heading, "Coming This Fall:"

How to Get into Politics and be Successful

From serving on a volunteer board, being part of college campus ASB office, being treasurer of a neighborhood organization, or running for a publicly elected office, politics are an integral part of our lives. Successful campaigns are as much a matter of mechanics and a defined process as they are about issues and qualifications. Once you know and understand the process, you’ll enjoy a significant advantage over your competition. In this entertaining program you’ll learn how to:

Make campaign promises that position you as a winner

As opposed to making promises to provide things that 1) you are able to provide, and 2) the voters actually want

Obtain financial support for your campaign

How convenient! A whole chapter on how to be a corrupt slimeball!

Answer questions and how to sidestep them

At this point I must reiturate that, I swear to God, this is on the level. I only avoid giving the link to the college because I don't want to announce my location to the whole blogosphere.

Decide on what you can promise vs. what you can really deliver

Those last two items sum it up nicely, don't they? Why don't they just write, "How to lie your ass off every time you show your face in public, you political whore."

Plus everything else you’ll need to serve with dignity and integrity

In 2000 we were promised "Honor and Integrity" in the White House. I wonder if "dignity and integrity" are much different?

[The instructor] has been involved in both “amateur” and professional political campaigns for over 30 years and have a successful history of providing training advice to those seeking elected position.

I'll bet they do. I'll bet Abramoff wrote the introduction to their textbook. Seriously, this course seems to reduce public service to a competitive sport, the goal of which is to win your game, to hell with right or wrong or what is in the public interest.

I guess I'm just too naive and idealistic.