I hate jealousy; it makes me feel bitter and small.
But, I admit it, I’m jealous of all the excitement around the Bruins’ Game 7 tonight.
Because it’s the same kind of excitement that used to surround campaigns and elections — used to.
Do you know there’s a Governor’s race going on right now in Massachusetts?
And a Senate race?
I’m not surprised if you don’t, and I’m not surprised if you don’t care very much.
For years, Boston’s twin passions were politics and sports.
But, now, while our hearts and minds are still connected to the Bruins (and Red Sox, and Patriots), we’re less committed to politics.
And why not?
Professional sports have plenty of problems–but they still seem more genuine and honest than politics have become.
Sports are more transparent, you can actually see what’s happening: there are no closed doors on a hockey rink.
Mostimportantt: everyone plays hard, everybody knows the score; somebody wins, somebody loses.
And, best of all, the game doesn’t go on forever, with both sides claiming victory.
Politics has become the opposite of sports: it’s all talk and no action, so it’s dull.
There are never any breakaway goals or long touchdown passes.
And, in Washington, both sides seemsatisfieded to play to a scoreless tie.
What politics has lost is passion.
And if any politicians want to see what passion sounds like, or feels like, they should go to the Garden tonight.