"Imagine" Ted Cruz Presidential Speech

Larsen’s cultural myths of an audience suggests that an audience will allow themselves to be persuaded based off of their value system. Appealing to various value systems seems to be an effective way for political candidates to elicit support and gain momentum for their campaign. On March 23, ted Cruz declared his bid for the republican presidential nomination.

Coming of the Messiah

Cruz uses many of Larsen’s cultural myths in his speech, of which I will cover two in detail. The term coming of Messiah indicates that all will be well. Instead of war there is peace, no one will go hungry, there will be no oppression, and justice will prevail. Cruz is asking us to imagine how our lives would be if many of the processes our government currently adopts were abolished and something better be put in its place. This is, in a not so literal way, asking us to imagine what it would be like in a “perfect world” similar to what it would be like for the coming of the Messiah. Cruz encourages us to just “imagine” how great our world could be in 2017 if we had a president who could do the following things: Create economic growth, allow small businesses to grow a prosper, allow innovation thriving on the internet which will provide more opportunity, becoming energy self-sufficient, having a country with no health care reform and keeping the government out of healthcare, create a flat tax that lets every American fill out their taxes on a post card, abolishing the IRS, ensure that boarders are secured, allow a legal immigration system to allow people to come achieve the American dream, support a government that stands for the first amendment rights of every American, protect the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of marriage and ensure that it is upheld, protect the right to bear arms, protect the privacy rights of every American, be rid of common core, and allow school choice so that every child has a right to a quality education, standing in one with the people of Israel, honor the constitution, and so on. Have you ever heard of the phrase “it sounds too good to be true”, similar to the notion that we will live in a state of bliss and peace with the coming of the Messiah. Cruz is promising with him as president he will be able to do all of those things he mentioned, and then some, thus creating a “heaven on earth” nation.

Wisdom of the Rustics

Another one of Larsen’s cultural myths in his speech is the wisdom of the rustics. Americans value the humble beginnings of their country and believe that difficulty teaches us valuable lessons. He asks us to imaging being privy to unimaginable and difficult historic events such as in 1775 when Patrick Henry made the bold statement “give me liberty or give me death”, or in 1776 watching the signing of the declaration of independence stand together and pledge their lives, fortunes and sacred honors to ignite the promise of American, imagine it is 1777 general Washington as he lost battle after battle fighting for freedom. Imaging listening to President Roosevelt in 1933, during a time of great depression, that we “have nothing to fear but fear itself”. Imagine listening to Ronald Reagan promise growth and prosperity and that we could win the cold war. These are great American examples that show that albeit difficult times, good things came from struggles.

Process Premise

He asks us to imaging a lot of things. He uses “need” as a process premise. We “need” to imagine, to change, we “need” to take action. He asks us all to rise up and re-ignite the promise of American. We “need” to stand together for liberty, not only for ourselves, but for future generations. By asking us to “imagine”, Cruz does enroll us into his vision throughout his speech. It is intended that we feel the “need” to make our world better, and although it may be difficult it will be worth it. He definitely is trying to appeal to our patriotic duty.  I am starting to wonder if we can only imagine it because it is only imaginable, not probable, that all of these changes would take place and be supported by the majority of Americans during a 4 year presidential period. That is a lot to “imagine”.