As you might have heard by now, presidential elections in the United States are happening today. Many have been frustrated by the most expensive election in all history (surpassing even some famous Roman elections, in which whole swaths of land and treasure were exchanged in a spectacular show of bribery). But I urge you to enjoy this grand folly. It reminds me of the Golden Liberty of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, when once every two decades or so the whole nobility would gather at Wola outside of Warsaw to be courted by dignitaries from all of Europe, in hopes of winning the Polish crown.
Jan Matejko: Poland at the Zenith of Her Power, Golden Liberty
It was likewise a spectacular event, with plenty of treasure changing hands.
But, as Matejko's title implies (he ranks, by the way, as one of the finest artists of all time, along with Michelangelo and Bernini, in my estimation), this was when Poland was at the apex of her glory. Perhaps this election will be remembered as having happened at the apex of America's glory, after which all events inevitably led to the marginalization of this great nation.
Nevertheless, I believe we can still reform. It is not too late. Go, and vote. Some excellent music to get you motivated to exercise your power: "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC and "Fortunate Son" by Clearwater Creedence Revival.
Pax in terra hominibus bonae volumptatis,
Archipoeta
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