September 9, 2004, here on slacktivist: Regan, Goneril & Cheney
Cheney has become like King Lear’s older daughters who lied to their father with overblown, impossible flatteries. He will tell voters whatever he thinks they want to hear — no matter how impossible or implausible. “I love you more than words can wield the matter,” he tells the electorate.
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;
As much as child e’er loved, or father found;
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Your taxes shall wither to nothing and
Beyond nothing, refundable credits
For all, a thousand dollars a month!
And full employment for all who wish it
With six and seven figure salaries.
Gas will cost but a nickel a gallon,
War will be bloodless, frequent, televised;
Fought with lasers, smart bombs, min’ature nukes;
And only the brown foreigners will die. …The Kerry campaign finds itself in the unenviable position of Cordelia, Lear’s youngest — and only loyal — daughter. Hoping that the electorate is not so vain, senile and gullible as to prefer lying flattery over honest duty.
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