Primary Elections and Childrens books

I recently re-read Alice in Wonderland and may I say it is just full of wonderful political satire. I always enjoy re-reading children’s stories because the so subtitle imprint us with what are considered to be ‘accepted values’. They really create the norms we now live with. When you re-read the stories your parents read you as children you start to understand your values a bit better.
Now Carrolle is not exactly your typical children’s story by that standard. It teaches values but not your typical ‘be a good citizen’ type values. He in fact takes quite the aggressive stance toward his countries form of government. Sure not all books view the government in a positive light but his stance is still a bit unique in severity and in being obvious.
I adore this one scene where he insults the way caucuses work. Now I don’t find this as applicable for caucuses for I don’t know much about our American caucuses never having attended one or lived in a State where they where used. But I think that it is incredibly accurate of how the majority of Primaries (and sometimes presidential elections themselves) go. It’s all around and around in circles.
To set the scene Alice and many other small animals are soaking wet from falling into a pool of tears (this pool was created by Alice when she was larger, she has since shrunk). The group is now trying to get dry
"`What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.'
`What is a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that somebody ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.
`Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)
First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'"
Now though we often do have evident winners emerging in the end. I do feel that the majority of the primaries just seem to go in circles. It frustrates me so. One gains force then the other. Look at Hillary and Obama on paper they stances are very similar on the major issues. Debates end up going in circles of “My opponent is lying” “No you are” “No You are” and on and on. So they keep ending up back where they started.
When the Dodo does answer the question of the winner it does not remind me as much of the election because one will be claimed winner. But it does remind me of our emerging American value of feel goodism. ‘We are all winners everyone gets a prize… No you don’t have to put effort in because we all win so you don’t feel bad about yourself…’ I mean I am all for helping those in need, the under dogs and losers. It’s more so that I worry about this as it becomes prevalent in schools. ‘No ones effort matters and we should not have grades because that makes people feel bad when they don’t turn in work’
"This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At last the Dodo said, `everybody has won, and all must have prizes.'
`But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices asked.
`Why, she, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!'
Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. There was exactly one a-piece all round.
`But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.
`Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.
`Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly.
`Hand it over here,' said the Dodo. Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short speech, they all cheered. "