Do a majority of America’s voters know enough? Care enough? Think about the issues clearly enough? A sign of our political self-confidence is how we regularly scrutinize and call to attention the ridiculous things our politicians say. Any average Joe can easily make fun of the things politicians say, but who is there to rebuff the equally dumb, ill-informed, and offensive comments of the average senseless voter. What if the problem in today’s 24 hour news cycle and political system isn’t with the politicians themselves or most of the people who will read this, but is instead those individuals among us who represent the tendency to act and say thoroughly stupid things.
Most would agree that honesty and truthfulness in our politicians and government circles is desirable. So why, you ask has it been so difficult and maybe impossible to achieve these goals? Maybe the conclusion is that we do not desire the truth; however, we sincerely believe we do. Maybe the average American voter can’t handle the truth. You see the truth is government isn’t perfect, was never meant to be perfect, and will never be perfect. The sooner the extreme Tea Party and Occupy movements realize this along with the party lacks - the better.
Not only are we blind to the faults the voters make, but the voters often times commit equally egregious faults by basing their political beliefs on downright lies and myths. Our Democracy or more precisely our Republic was founded on the belief that the voters would base their beliefs and cast their votes on reason and truth. Yet, most of the voters are truly uneducated on the issues and base their beliefs not on reason, but the inclination to believe what they want to believe, regardless of the facts. You see maybe the confidence of our Republic rests on a myth.
As always is the case, the holiday season brings out the best in political debate among friends and family. And this past holiday season was no different, especially with the fiscal cliff and gun control debates. One message seemed quite clear to me this year - people on both sides of the aisle are fed up with government and more than usual.
Some people think that I have this problem with the extreme right Tea Party movement, and they couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m all for free speech and expression even if your sole existence is a waste of space and oxygen on god’s loving planet. In all actuality, I find both the Tea Party and Occupy movements to be entertaining to say the least. At least these people, as habitually stupid as the may be, have gotten off the couch and are letting their voices be heard.
What does drive me intensely insane are the fools who embrace the beliefs of these movements, yet they refuse to give their precious time and effort to what they claim they believe in - the lazy hypocrites of America.
I’m all in favor of people expressing their political opinions – but with reason. If you truthfully believe in something, you have the opportunity every few years to let your voice be heard. They’re called elections. If you don’t like something get off the couch and get your hand out of the Cheetos bag and change it; in the meantime shut the **** up. Much blood was shed for the right to elect freely in this country, before you blame the system look in the mirror.
Yours in Democracy, -Will Snyder
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