Quadrennial Scam

In 1972 I turned 18-years-old. Being a upright, bright-eyed American boy, I fulfilled two civic duties - registering for the draft and registering to vote.

The former was ominous as the country was still embroiled in Southeast Asia. The latter was rousing as
I would be among the first group between the ages of 18 and 20 to vote in federal elections.

Not yet the jaded cynic who types these words, I actively campaigned for George McGovern hoping not to become another victim of "Uncle Sam's Blues." (A favorite Jefferson Airplane tune and Hot Tuna harbinger). Thus began my descent from idealistic activist to realistic curmudgeon, and my penchant for backing hopeless presidential candidates.

Ten presidential election cycles later, the prospect of another fills me with bile. My years in the gaming industry taught me to recognize a fixed game when I see one. This quadrennial flim-flam engineered by power-brokers and monied interests doesn't even display the panache of a good confidence game.

The terms confidence game and confidence man, later shortened to con man, date to the mid-1800s and a William Thompson. He would gain people's confidence and hold money, watches, jewelry in safekeeping never to be seen again. He provided inspiration for Herman Melville's last novel, The Confidence-Man. Critics consider this to be a precursor of the nihilistic, absurdist style of the 20th Century.

Another 19th Century scammer was George Parker. He has gone down in history as the man who sold the Brooklyn Bridge...multiple times. He also peddled Grant's Tomb and the Statue of Liberty. Parker was so convincing that many who bought the bridge did not realize they were hoodwinked until the authorities stopped them from setting up toll booths.

A 20th Century swindler, who would fit right in with current political candidates is Gaston Means. He took the confidence game to a national level working for the Bureau of Investigation (pre- FBI), and the uber-corrupt Harding administration.

When one of his confidence games was uncovered, Gaston would unabashedly claim innocence and worm his way out of trouble. He once ingratiated himself with an heiress. She began to suspect something was afoot. So Means took her hunting, and she ended up dead. Despite expert testimony, he beat the rap.

Eventually these flim-flam men received their just desserts. Alas, I can not say the same for today's politician schemers. I guess only duly-elected crimes pay. As ever - BB

“Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” - George Orwell