If Bill Clinton Becomes 'First Guy'By TOM PURCELLMarch 08, 2016
Maybe I better explain. Personally, I couldn't care less if our president is male or female — couldn't care less about our president's sex, ethnicity or skin color. I do care about what he or she stands for and how effectively he or she will address the considerable problems our country is facing (entitlement costs, debt, soaring health premiums, our record 10th year below 3 percent growth, the meltdown in the Middle East, etc.). But I'm in a growing minority, regrettably.
Hillary's Bad Bill
Fair enough. But they're overlooking the profound impact a President Hillary would have on the American male — because her husband, Bill, would become our first first guy. In all of American history, every president has been a male. Our identities as men were shaped by the courage and conviction of fellows like George Washington, alpha male Number 1, whose wits and grit won the Revolutionary War and who established a precedent for how all future presidents should conduct themselves. We had to identify with men like President Lincoln, who overcame incredible discord to save our country from splintering — or fellows like FDR, who faced unimaginable economic turmoil head on and who led us to victory in World War II. First Guy Bill Clinton would be a new role model, who could make our lot so much easier. When he was president — holder of the most time-consuming job in the world — he found plenty of time to get into trouble. What kind of mischief might he get into as first guy?
Clinton's Campaign
Rather than lead campaigns on anti-obesity, literacy or "just say 'no' to drugs," as recent first ladies did, his campaign will "just say 'no' to Hillary"? He'll be responsible for hosting social and ceremonial events at the White House — which will include its first beer pong tournament? Regardless what Bill does, he'll inspire millions of men to go boldly where few have had the guts to tread. The old raconteur has got himself out of many scrapes through the skillful use of his silver tongue — encouraging men everywhere to fashion tall tales that both they and their wives can live with. Despite his many peccadilloes — despite being caught in many wrongdoings — his wife never kicked him out, and his presidential approval ratings soared after he was impeached. His story encourages men the world over to act first and seek forgiveness later. While his wife is weighed down by all of the woes of the world, Bill will be free to sleep in, play golf or sneak into his secret White House man cave for a little private time — inspiring millions more men to shirk any sense of responsibility. I'd rather our candidates discuss our real problems, but since so little of that is happening — since Hillary may well be our next president — at least we'll have some clever bumper stickers to look forward to: "What happens in the White House stays in the White House."
©2016 Tom Purcell Tom Purcell, author of "Misadventures of a 1970's Childhood" and "Comical Sense: A Lone Humorist Takes on a World Gone Nutty!" is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. E-mail Tom at Tom@TomPurcell.com Publish A Letter in SitNews Read Letters/Opinions
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