Parasocial

     Elsewhere, and in a context in which I would not have expected it (a fairly heated discussion thread about which of several mostly-interchangeable possible candidates would be best for a relatively useless office), a stranger observed, "We've got to stop forming parasocial relationships with politicians."

     And that's the heart of it.  Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. Candidate/Officeholder is not your pal, your hero, or even your nemesis.  They don't know you, they don't recognize your individual five, fifty or five hundred dollar donation to their campaign, and they're not going to, past, if you are indeed fortunate, a quick handshake and a vague glance, forgotten like yesterday's chewing gum as soon as the flavor fades.  No matter who they are, I can assure you that they don't care about you personally.  Oh, a really fat wad of cash will get you their ear, and maybe even some favorable legislation, but emotional engagement?  Buy a dog!

     Politics is not about selecting a saviour king.  It's about making the least-bad choice.  You're choosing between feral tomcats dragging dead rats, trying to pick the one with the least-smelly rat and the best behavior.  Hailing any of them -- ex-President Trump, Vice-President Harris, or whatever the hell it is RFK, Jr. is supposed to be -- as The Answer is a huge mistake.  At best, they're an answer; not a great one, but maybe one that will work for awhile.

     They're not Your New Pal.  They don't reciprocate your feelings.  You're a blur in the crowd.  Stop playing pretend.  Don't get emotionally invested.