It ends today. A presidential campaign that seemingly began some 206 years ago will finally conclude with the networks calling the election about 4.5 seconds after the polls close in Maine.
To refresh your perspective as you head to your local rigged voting booth, we present our choices for the top five takes on politics from the sci-fi world.
These are quotes from sci-fi movies, TV or literature that best illustrate the jaundiced eye with which speculative fiction usually beholds the pseudo-democratic process. (Obviously, this is just an attempt to get your juices flowing and your memory firing on your favorite sci-fi shots at governmental operations.)
5) Obi Wan Kenobi, from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: "It's been my experience that senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns. And they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds."
4) Arthur C. Clarke: "Politicians should read science fiction, not Westerns and detective stories."
3) From Doctor Who, Tom Baker's Doctor: "Only in mathematics will we find truth," he says to the deceptive leader of the Time Lords, Barusa.
__2) Charlton Heston, Planet of the Apes: __"We finally really did it. You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!"
1) Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made president should on no account be allowed to do the job."
As always, you're invited to include your favorites in the comment section below -- after you get your little blue sticker Tuesday.
Image courtesy Lucasfilm
See also:
