Jay Z Supports Obama But Wants Smaller Government and Less Political Gridlock

Culture

Jay-Z and Beyonce have hosted more than one top-dollar fundraiser for Barack Obama, which is why the superstar's comments about less government and politics have caused a stir. Jay-Z told MTV News, "I don't even like the word politics. It implies something underhanded and I think we need less government."

Amen, Jay-Z!

Jay-Z was really telling MTV News that he wasn't interested in politics. His opinion of politicians matches that of at least 90% of Americans, "To be honest with you I think a lot of people are serving their own agendas, so they just argue back and forth and they think about their next term."

Some might call Jay-Z hypocritical for being such a strong supporter of Barack Obama who, along with most other well-known office holders, seems to fit Jay-Z's description of politicians. But I think Jay-Z is on to something. Every four years, the world stops for U.S. political campaigns. Even people who don't care about politics have their lives impacted. Wall Street rises and falls based on political fortunes. Want a home loan? Better apply in enough time before November 6, as there are always rumors that interest rates will rise after any election.

As to Jay-Z's "argue back and forth" while "thinking about their next term" claim, this has led to guaranteed tax increases January 1, 2013, as well as the sequestration nightmare. If you don't know what that is, Mr. Google can help you out. Which is more important: military budgets being slashed by $500 billion overnight, or thepresident's concern that layoff notices to the employees of defense contractors may cost him votes?

In the ideal world, politicians are supposed to have jobs that entail more than just getting elected or re-elected. The tax increases and sequestration budget cuts that are coming in less than three months are a direct result of those jobs not getting done.

Meanwhile, everyone else is doing their job ... for the most part. Jay-Z is doing his job, Beyonce is doing her job, I'm doing my job, and so is pretty much everybody else. We don't try to get in a brain surgeon's face and tell her how to do her job, but we're not her boss. Technically, all of us out here in real America are the "boss" of politicians. 

I was just thinking this week that instead of arguing whether to raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires, it would be a fantastic thing if we could enter a post-political world, where politics and government was a job that entailed tasks accomplished instead of elections won or lost. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could trust politicians and government bureaucrats to do their jobs at least as well as everyone else? Thanks, Jay-Z. You are one wise gentleman.