Growing up in a two-channel analog universe, it was easy to decide which of the two channels to watch. We watched whatever Dad wanted to watch.
Dad liked to watch Lawrence Welk. We, the kids, were not impressed. But what else could we do?
Dad eventually graduated to cable TV with 50 or more channels. He found re-runs of The Lawrence Welk Show. Can you guess what shows we watched when I was visiting?
Dad passed away in 2002. I hadn’t seen Lawrence Welk since.
Last month, my local PBS affiliate in Spokane, Washington had a fundraising concert called “The Best of Lawrence Welk.” I wanted to change the channel. But I thought: “What the hell! I might as well take a look/listen of a former time as I write articles and books about an alternative democracy that no one wants to read.”
My 20-year Lawrence Welk sabbatical had given me a new appreciation for his music. Or maybe I am more appreciative of the arts than I used to be. I was able to see the talents and dedication coming from the singers, musicians, and dancers. They did not get to the Lawrence Welk stage because it was easy.
And there were a lot of singers, musicians, and dancers. For every person in front of the camera, there must have been at least two more people behind the camera. Lawrence must have had one big, humongous payroll to meet for every show. And he had to convince advertisers to give him more money than that payroll to keep the show going for 30 years. Maybe Lawrence’s business acumen was his true genius, for making music is a totally different talent.
The PBS hosts interviewed one of Lawrence’s grandchildren, who is now leading “The Welk Empire.”
He said that his grandfather had a simple business formula:
“Give the people want they want.”
That phrase hit me like a ton of bricks!
No Wonder I am a Bottom Writer
I am a political writer. But I don’t give political readers on Medium what they want.
Political readers on Medium want someone to blame for today’s politics. That’s why there are many political articles on Medium blaming MAGA, the Republican Party, and Mr. Trump as the reason for the slow crash and burn the USA is going through. They will be happy to cast blame after the Republicans try to make the USA into a one-party state, which will be a bigger muck of a fess.
Political readers on Medium want to blame the Democrats for not being more aggressive with the Republicans and their oligarchic intentions. They want to blame Democrats for not enacting more progressive legislation.
Political readers on Medium want to blame the uber-wealthy for their control of the political process.
Political readers want to blame the traditional non-voters, who do hold the balance of political power in their hands.
Political readers on Medium want a messiah to fix things. Yep, he or she is out there. We just need to keep watching the TV screen until that person appears. We will know to vote for that person when he/she shows up. Right?
The political readers on Medium want the current system to fix itself. Electoral College, term limits, age limits, campaign financing, gerrymandering, and voter suppression are popular solutions for fixing the geriatric American democracy. Even if these reforms could actually be effective, they are a moot point. There’s such a small chance the polarized sides can agree on these changes. Yet many people still insist American democracy can be repaired — and these repairs will be effective.
Political writers on Medium believe they are educators who can convince a few people from the other side of their wrongness. These writers get claps, positive comments, and a few Medium shekels. But these writers are talking to their own echo chamber. Minds are not being changed.
I don’t take any of those paths. Rather, I continue to tell political readers on Medium that they must get to work building a new democracy. This movement will require thousands of people who recognize the brokenness of our current democracy and are willing to put 10 hours a month into this new democracy.
Because I tell people they must get to work and sacrifice some recreation time, I have worn out my welcome on Medium.
Me telling political readers to build a new democracy is like Lawrence Welk telling his TV fans: “Tonight you-a-pick-uppa your own instruments and a-sing-a your own voice to entertain-a yourselves. Wunnerful, wunnerful!”
Not too many TV advertisers with that TV model.
The Lawrence Welk Show was Fluffy
Like many shows of that era, The Lawrence Welk Show portrayed a happier reality than reality really was. While escapism might have some psychological merits, the world did not become a better place because of the music of Lawrence Welk.
Many other artists try to make us think. Consider the lyrics of the Rolling Stones in assessing wants and needs.
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes,
well, you just might find
You get what you need!
Politically speaking, I am giving you what you need. Not political fluff.
But “what you need” is an unpopular opinion.
Published on Medium 2023
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