Seriously, Cut It Out
You know, when I started this blog, I promised myself I would not go off on extended political rants. Too much chance of pissing someone off and starting an argument I don't want to finish--that, and I don't know if Jeff reads this or not, and I really don't want to have that argument. Again. But this time, I cannot shut up.
It concerns the use of one word: "Liberal". Not in the sense of a "liberal helping of mashed potatoes" or something like that. I mean politically. I am sick and tired of people spitting the word at me like it's an insult. I am sick of it coming out of the mouth of right-wingers and having it sound like they're calling me a bastard or something unclean. If they're gonna insult me, why don't they go all the way and call me what I really am: A dirty, democratic, bleeding heart, pacifist, dissenter bastard!
I'm tired of it. Is this how far we've fallen, to demonize even casual opposition? Yes, I disagree with many, many things about the wars we have gotten ourselves into. Yes, I think our dear President is either an idiot or a fool, who's sending us into battles we shouldn't be fighting, both outside our borders, and within our own government. Yes, I think that political discourse in this country has fallen into mudslinging and hate-mongering, that fear and intimidation tactics rule. Does that make me unamerican? Does that give anyone the right to call anyone who speaks up and looks at the goddamn truth a dirty, America-hating liberal?
I don't know if there was a point to this. More of a rant. I guess it pisses me off that I'm still trying to play by the rules, to discuss with dignity, to at least fight for my ideals with honor! But it seems like playing by the rules has gone out of vogue, that all that matters is the win--no matter how it's achieved. So, I will bear the title of 'liberal' in all it's connotations. I just see it as a sign of how far we've fallen.
It concerns the use of one word: "Liberal". Not in the sense of a "liberal helping of mashed potatoes" or something like that. I mean politically. I am sick and tired of people spitting the word at me like it's an insult. I am sick of it coming out of the mouth of right-wingers and having it sound like they're calling me a bastard or something unclean. If they're gonna insult me, why don't they go all the way and call me what I really am: A dirty, democratic, bleeding heart, pacifist, dissenter bastard!
I'm tired of it. Is this how far we've fallen, to demonize even casual opposition? Yes, I disagree with many, many things about the wars we have gotten ourselves into. Yes, I think our dear President is either an idiot or a fool, who's sending us into battles we shouldn't be fighting, both outside our borders, and within our own government. Yes, I think that political discourse in this country has fallen into mudslinging and hate-mongering, that fear and intimidation tactics rule. Does that make me unamerican? Does that give anyone the right to call anyone who speaks up and looks at the goddamn truth a dirty, America-hating liberal?
I don't know if there was a point to this. More of a rant. I guess it pisses me off that I'm still trying to play by the rules, to discuss with dignity, to at least fight for my ideals with honor! But it seems like playing by the rules has gone out of vogue, that all that matters is the win--no matter how it's achieved. So, I will bear the title of 'liberal' in all it's connotations. I just see it as a sign of how far we've fallen.
posted by Jonathan at 9:50 PM
2 Comments:
For many years, I've been of the mind that we should throw out the political parties and let it be every politician for himself--make the politicians prove who they are and what they think to the constituents. The hate-mongering and mudslinging is just a side effect of the political party system.
Liberal. Conservative. Honestly, neither of these are things one wants independently in a democracy, if one chooses to apply the left- and right-wing labels to them as well.
As a democratic society, we need both in order to survive, which is something both sides tend to forget. We need to balance because there is nothing build into the parties giving them the ability to check on each other. Also, one side or another usually has power alone for a period of time. Right now, "the conservatives" are in charge. Within a few congressional elections, we'll probably start seeing more of "those damned liberals," allowing the cycle to start up again.
The reality is that most people are MODERATE, or tend toward moderate thinking. In the end, it's the moderates who run our system of democracy. So let's play nice, because everybody's going to get to take a turn.
Liberal has been transformed into a curse word because Liberals allowed themselves to be defined by what the other side wasn't instead of what they are. I don't subscribe to either political party because both sides do really (reaaallly) stupid, evil, things. Also in my opinion, if someone makes up thier mind before thy even hear the issue, then they don't really have a mind of thier own at all. Also, according to the most recent round of elections about thirty percent of voters voted split ticket. All the others just markede one of the check boxes and didn't give it a second thought. What this says to me is that most people (70%) are mindless sheep who to apathetic to even attempt to care who is best for them. Not that votes actually matter anyway. You know how in the star wars game the senate will be left in place just to give the people the illusion of freedom? Thats what is happening here in the real world too...
-You already know who I am
Post a Comment
<< Home