Since 1935 the American Legion (our RSL equivalent) has been running a week long’camp’ in American self government for 17 year old boys. (Girls it seems have a separate one). This movie/doc looks in at the week and make some unintended insights.
The young guys are split into two parties Federalists and the Nationalists. These parties have no pre-existing positions defined; the blanks will be filled in by the parties and their chosen leadership. While some of the members run for other positions, “Boys State” primarily follows candidates for Governor and elected positions.
Eventually, the last men standing are Steven Garza for the Nationalists and Eddy Proietti Conti for the Federalists.
Steven and Eddy are guided by their party chairmans, René Otero and Ben Feinstein, respectively. Feinstein is a conservative who loves Reagan. Otero is a Black guy originally from Chicago who confides to the camera that he’s “never seen so many White folks before!” Both are formidable opponents who are boisterous and completely committed to their candidates.
But that’s where as an outsider to American politics I take a step back. I’m afraid, but I see this an an outdated system of defining politics.
But it seems to change nothing. The young guys in this doco movie, get hung up on two topics, that have polarised their fellow Americans. Abortion and Gun Control. Given that America is in such upheaval its sad that they are imprints of their parents. The 2nd Amendment, the “Right To Bear Arms” is a defining issue and pity Steven Garza for wanting some form of control.
In that sense the marching band, the white tee-shirts, the penants, the chanting, the youthful enthusiasm all boil down to Abortion and Gun Control
Surely America can do better than this. And who wins?
The party that supported no control and no Abortions for women.
Just like “mom and dad”. It’s i to me
As a documentary movie running nearly 1.5 hours long. It is a unintended consequence. America for me is in trouble.
