The American Dynasties

 

When I think dynasty I think Julio-Claudian, Ming, Tudor. I think Old World. I think cobble stone streets filled with quaint little shops peopled by humble clerks  who say things like, “Yes my lord; yes my lady,” most of the day. They’re usually too busy curtsying and bowing to entertain any aspirations for a better life.

Ok, sometimes, too, I think of that highly successful  television show of the 80’s which featured the beautiful Joan Collins and the equally beautiful Linda Evans perpetually locked up in a vixen death match, one step away from the mosh  pit.

But Old World and beautiful  women aside, we can now look stateside to the relatively new  American dynasties. Sure we didn’t seem too worried about the Adamses, Roosevelts or Kennedys.

But with more and more frequency  we are seeing the kind of dynasties developing that our forefathers sought to escape when their forefathers left Europe for the New World. Members of the Bush, Clinton or Cuomo families would be happy to steward the ship of state for the next 25 years or so. We already know that Hillary Clinton is running for president in 2016. Can a Jeb Bush candidacy be far behind?

The whole of U.S politics has become inundated with the same career politicians and now with their broods as well. We’ve seen sons succeeding fathers, wives plotting to succeed husbands; sons and daughters of famous men and women running for whatever office avails itself. In many cases, they inherit the slick campaign machines and conscripted vassals of their elders.

No doubt the Clinton machine is  already searching the state of New York for a nice, safe congressional district from which Chelsea can launch her political ambitions. But be patient. That proclamation will come after the 2016 presidential election.