What We've Become
I apologize for lacking articles in the last few weeks but something has been bothering me.
Originally I had written an article satirizing both presidential candidates as they provided me with plenty of material to work with. I then criticized both sides for being nothing but downright dirty and underhanded by conjuring up any allegations they could come up, exaggerate and spin their voting records, and even go after the candidate's families. All this for political gain.
As I proofread my work I came to a shocking realization. In my efforts to satirize those who use dirty tricks and insults to further their candidate, I was using the same tactics to further my article. I even went as far as to facetiously refer to Obama as the “messiah” and mock the events surrounding McCain's POW status. It's one thing to make light of Amy Winehouse or use defecating similes to describe Uwe Boll films (I just finished “In the Name of the King”) for the sake of humor and good fun, but it's another thing entirely to go after someone for the sole purpose of hurting them. It's vindictive, disrespectful, and highly unprofessional.
I am ashamed that I fell into this trap and I fear it is a symptom of a much larger problem in our society.
Granted elections have always been a a full-contact sport that would make Manchester United fans cower in fear, however, in the past year the elections have been nothing but insults with no projected policies, no proposed solution, and no mercy. There hasn't even been a half-hearted attempt to appeal to people with words like “lock box.” At least that's a proposed policy as opposed to the empty platitudes we see in this election.
Today we, as the American people, go after anyone and everyone who might disagree with us despite the fact that we need their vote. We label them with contemporary scarlet letters like “racist,” “ignorant,” or “un-American” when they disagree. We go after those asking the tough questions, disregarding the inquiry entirely as if the person asking is more important than the answer. We market our candidates not by pointing out their accumulated merit or proposed policy if elected but by demonizing our opponents. I cannot watch the post season or a single episode of Smallville (Bite me, I think Chloe is hot) without witnessing the highly contested Minnesota senatorial race and hearing how much the other candidate sucks. It's just not respectable or fun anymore.
A friend of mine once described elections as a “sporting event” in terms of excitement. I respectfully disagree. To me, it is more like the running of the bulls in Spain; the longer you stay in the race, the more likely you are to get a horn up your ass.
Perhaps I am naive and am finally becoming aware of the political machine or maybe I'm fed up with it entirely. Either way the insulting, the witch-hunts, the going after the families, it all needs to stop. We need to get away from the mud-slinging and back to addressing the issues and debating the possible solutions. It is time to stop griping and start discussing. If we are to survive as a nation in this time of economic uncertainty, we need to stop blaming each other and start figuring out how to fix the situation.
I doubt we will ever suppress our malevolent nature, especially before election day, but I will do my part by listening to what others have to say without reservation. I will engage others in civil political discourse to better my own perceptions and possibly improve theirs. I know I am a young idealist, who still believes in the American republic and the importance of voting, but I believe we can improve ourselves as individuals and later try to restore the system to a position of honor and integrity. I will not hold my breath but, like the Boston Red Sox, I will not stop trying until either I've achieved my objective or the season is over.
What say you?
Originally I had written an article satirizing both presidential candidates as they provided me with plenty of material to work with. I then criticized both sides for being nothing but downright dirty and underhanded by conjuring up any allegations they could come up, exaggerate and spin their voting records, and even go after the candidate's families. All this for political gain.
As I proofread my work I came to a shocking realization. In my efforts to satirize those who use dirty tricks and insults to further their candidate, I was using the same tactics to further my article. I even went as far as to facetiously refer to Obama as the “messiah” and mock the events surrounding McCain's POW status. It's one thing to make light of Amy Winehouse or use defecating similes to describe Uwe Boll films (I just finished “In the Name of the King”) for the sake of humor and good fun, but it's another thing entirely to go after someone for the sole purpose of hurting them. It's vindictive, disrespectful, and highly unprofessional.
I am ashamed that I fell into this trap and I fear it is a symptom of a much larger problem in our society.
Granted elections have always been a a full-contact sport that would make Manchester United fans cower in fear, however, in the past year the elections have been nothing but insults with no projected policies, no proposed solution, and no mercy. There hasn't even been a half-hearted attempt to appeal to people with words like “lock box.” At least that's a proposed policy as opposed to the empty platitudes we see in this election.
Today we, as the American people, go after anyone and everyone who might disagree with us despite the fact that we need their vote. We label them with contemporary scarlet letters like “racist,” “ignorant,” or “un-American” when they disagree. We go after those asking the tough questions, disregarding the inquiry entirely as if the person asking is more important than the answer. We market our candidates not by pointing out their accumulated merit or proposed policy if elected but by demonizing our opponents. I cannot watch the post season or a single episode of Smallville (Bite me, I think Chloe is hot) without witnessing the highly contested Minnesota senatorial race and hearing how much the other candidate sucks. It's just not respectable or fun anymore.
A friend of mine once described elections as a “sporting event” in terms of excitement. I respectfully disagree. To me, it is more like the running of the bulls in Spain; the longer you stay in the race, the more likely you are to get a horn up your ass.
Perhaps I am naive and am finally becoming aware of the political machine or maybe I'm fed up with it entirely. Either way the insulting, the witch-hunts, the going after the families, it all needs to stop. We need to get away from the mud-slinging and back to addressing the issues and debating the possible solutions. It is time to stop griping and start discussing. If we are to survive as a nation in this time of economic uncertainty, we need to stop blaming each other and start figuring out how to fix the situation.
I doubt we will ever suppress our malevolent nature, especially before election day, but I will do my part by listening to what others have to say without reservation. I will engage others in civil political discourse to better my own perceptions and possibly improve theirs. I know I am a young idealist, who still believes in the American republic and the importance of voting, but I believe we can improve ourselves as individuals and later try to restore the system to a position of honor and integrity. I will not hold my breath but, like the Boston Red Sox, I will not stop trying until either I've achieved my objective or the season is over.
What say you?