On Feb. 1, 2013, Netflix premiered a political drama series, House of Cards. Starring as the gruesome politician, Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, the series shows the corruption and immorality that awarded Underwood the top seat in the White House.
Throughout the release of the three seasons, every year the series has led many American viewers to question as to whether or not the corruption taken place in the show actually occurs in present day politics.
In the most recent season, released on Feb. 27, Frank Underwood, as president of the United States, engages in both domestic and foreign politics just as every American president would. However, Underwood’s motives in engaging in the situations he often finds himself in, makes you question his intentions and motives.
From past seasons, one could easily make the connection that Underwood does not always make decisions based on the best interest of the people of the United States, but rather for his own benefit. Now that he has reached his goal of becoming president (that is on the resignation of the past president), now what would keep him from doing the best thing for the American people, rather than for himself?
This has left many Americans questioning whether the corruption taking place in the series is viable to the politics in Washington, D.C. today and if there is any truth to the corruption.
Particularly as the 2016 presidential election quickly approaches, viewers constantly question the validity of what politicians spew as they try to make a convincing and lasting impression on the Americans who watch the many debates. Trying to decipher what is fact and fiction is the ultimate goals when listening to both the politicians speak in House of Cards and on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Although it is evident that corruption does take place in politics, how severe and prominent is this corruption? I have heard many people that currently work on The Hill say that they refuse to watch House of Cards because it is too similar to American politics.
When Beau Willimon produced House of Cards, was he re-creating scenarios from past experience or events? Or did he create them just from fiction? Whatever the answer may be, as Americans, it is our job to not fall into the traps many politicians lay for us. We must keep a straight mind and focus on the main objectives in politics and what is best for the United States.