If Joseph Heller were around to write a sequel to Catch-22, he'd almost surely structure the plot on the diabolical predicament of Republican presidential candidates. Capt. Scott Walker would star in the film version.
What a magnificent plight now befalls him.
"A 2012 Huffington Post/YouGov poll indicated that 70 percent of Americans favor legal abortions in cases of rape, incest, or a pregnancy that jeopardizes the mother's life." More recently, reports Politico, Gallup says that "For the first time in seven years, Americans who are 'pro-choice' hold a statistically significant lead over Americans who are 'pro-life.'" To win the White House, any sane politician would therefore discover his inner conscience and true convictions in support of choice.
But wait! As Jeb Bush once observed, along with millions of others who are entertained by such inescapable inanities, Republican pols must blow up their general-election chances by first securing the primary votes of the hopelessly alienating. It's in the book, and there's no way around it; it's as damnable as Capt. Yossarian's discovery that only a remarkably sane person would seek escape from war on the grounds of insanity.
Thus does Capt. Walker plan to sign Republican state legislation "banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy," which "doesn’t include an exception allowing abortions for victims of rape or incest." Walker is in one helluva catch — and for him, unlike Yossarian ultimately, there is no escape.
Writing as a philistine who didn't make it through more than the first chapter or two of 'Catch-22' I'd prefer the analogy of Faust and Mephistopheles. Except that Walker isn't smart enough to be Faust and the Teabaggers are only minor demons. Or maybe parasites on minor demons' backsides. But I would get to use cool phrases like "Sturm und Drang." I thoroughly enjoyed 'Something Happened' and own a hardcover of 'Picture This' that I never cracked. That should count for something.
Posted by: Bob | May 29, 2015 at 11:32 AM
Meh. I look at the statistics of those who favor background checks and other rudimentary controls on guns and I wonder. The populace seems to favor these controls by a substantial margin yet horror after horror which highlights the need pass unanswered by legislation. It seems that the difference between what a majority favors and what they will overlook is vast. It is a matter of priority I think. How important reproductive rights are is undoubted yet many women support the Republicans and many Democrats also women seem to favor some controls on abortion much as they do gun control. I don't know how big a penalty the republicans will pay for their stance on this issue but, unless made central to Hillary's campaign, probably not much.
Posted by: Peter G | May 29, 2015 at 11:37 AM
"Closing Time" is the name of the sequel to "Catch 22".
Posted by: merl | May 29, 2015 at 06:35 PM