Evita and Hillary

Before I make the connections, there are a few things that readers need to know. First off, I've loved the movie Evita ever since it came out in 1996. I was a young, impressionable teenager then who happened to be studying Spanish and Latin American culture. I'm also fascinated by history, especially the history of the World War II era. Add in the fact that I was a huge Madonna fan (even though I'm under no illusion that she can act), and one can understand why Evita is one of my favorite movies of all time. While I've never had the pleasure of seeing it on Broadway, I did see a production of Evita on the campus of Michigan State University while I was an undergraduate there. I treated myself, I ended up with a front row seat, and it became one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had at the theater.

Before I get into the politics, there are a couple of things that I'd like to say about the movie. Admittedly, it isn't for everyone. In order to truly enjoy it, it is necessary to love musicals and to know a little bit about the history of Argentina and Latin America. In addition, it helps if you know some Spanish as well. It also doesn't hurt to love the era of the 1940s, history, and politics either. For example, as a 15 year-old, I loved the movie so much that I wanted to share it with my Mom. If it wasn't for me filling her in on the history (no matter how skewed), the language, the culture, etc., she wouldn't have enjoyed it much.

That said, I realize that many fans of the Broadway production and many Argentinians were appalled that Madonna was going to portray Eva Peron on the big screen. I can understand why as Madonna can't act. What people failed to realize is that Madonna didn't have to act much in the movie; her life story is and was that similar to that of Eva Peron. As a result, it comes across as her best performance. The fact that she belted out "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from the Casa Rosda is simply amazing.

Now it is time to discuss the politics. Encore Love has been playing Evita recently, much to my delight (I just finished watching it again). Once again, I found myself wondering why I'm so drawn to the story of a woman who embodied everything I find wrong with politics, Latin American politics in particular. Even though Peronists are portrayed as aligned with the Right, that couldn't be further from the truth. Quite simply, Eva and Juan Person were socialists first and foremost. There is no denying the connections with fascism in Germany and Italy. Juan Peron reportedly modeled himself after Mussolini, and it is well known that Nazis took refuge in Argentina after the war when Peronists were still every much still in power.

There are many bloggers out there much more adept at disclosing the relationships of national socialism of the 1940s (Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Germany) to current Leftist thought throughout the world today. I'm not going to point it out here, but it is fair to say that Hillary Clinton shares many of the same goals, aspirations, and dreams of the socialists on the Left.

Many people may not know this, but Eva Peron aspired to be Vice President under her husband's administration. There appears to be a political partnership within their relationship. It is no secret that the Clintons' political partnership is at least a factor in their marriage. That said, one can't help but wonder what Eva would have done if she had not died so young. I bet that she would have run for President (in fact, another of Juan Peron's wives became President of Argentina later on). There truly isn't anything new under the sun.

I wonder if Hillary will be singing the following song if she doesn't get the nomination:

Another Suitcase In Another Hall

I don't expect my love affairs to last for long
Never fool myself that my dreams will come true
Being used to trouble I anticipate it
But all the same I hate it, wouldn't you?

So what happens now?
Another suitcase in another hall
So what happens now?
Take your picture off another wall
Where am I going to?
You'll get by, you always have before
Where am I going to?

Time and time again I've said that I don't care
That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through
But every time it matters all my words desert me
So anyone can hurt me, and they do

Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know
Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow
I won't recall the names and places of each sad occasion
But that's no consolation here and now.

Don't ask anymore.

The more I think about it, the more I truly feel sorry for Hillary if she doesn't get the nomination. Her whole life has been centered around this dream. Maybe she read one of the many biographies of Eva Peron before Evita was even written? I may be fascinated by the story of Eva Peron, but I detest her politics.

Lindsey