Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Angry Americans...

"Divide and rule, the politician cries; unite and lead, is watchword of the wise."
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I was supposed to try and relax today. My back hurts, I have this tingle in my fingers, and I'm 5 days into a coffee and green detox. But as I argue with borderline racist, self-righteous neo-cons on news websites I can feel my body tense up and my blood boil. The Zimmerman/Martin situation has really brought the nuts out of the nuthouse. And it's highlighting how unbelievably divisive and intolerant the nature of Americans today are. It's truly frightening, from both sides.

It may be part of this new red state, blue state phenomenon that has swept us up. I don't even remember this before 6-8 years ago. Until we started covering elections like NFL fantasy draft boards and providing the country with 24 hour, up to the minute, truly content-less news. Someone, somewhere seems to be benefiting from the American "line in the sand." This side or that side. Yes or no. But the whole concept of democracy in action is finding some middle ground between the voice of ALL people. Not over the top, morally guided policy. Again, on either side. That's where the 99% people are dead on. Many parts of the constitution are designed for us to defend against the tyranny of government and limit the exclusivity of power, not to better equip its own people to destroy each other. We need a leader who knows how to cross that bridge, not build another one. Sorry...bad metaphor.

But, you know what? Obama does come off pompous and over-schooled. When I read his comments on the proposed GOP budget today, I had a little bit of mouth throw-up when he called it "thinly-veiled social Darwinism." Seriously dude? After driving around all corners of this country for 15 years, I truly understand how half of America can not find common ground with a man like this. Just how the other half could not believe that George W. Bush could win, twice. I voted for Obama, and typically agree with many of his policies and social stances. And just like Texans wanted to have a beer with G.W.B, I'd love to shoot hoops with Barack. But I've lost significant faith in his ability to lead ALL people in this country.

If there is any case I can make for a guy like John Kerry, or Mitt Romney even...is that their thought is malleable. If a guy caters, and changes what he says to appease the people he represents, maybe he's a good politician. I'm starting to see less harm in that. How has it been going since we started nominating people with their own rigid, social and moral agendas to put in place?

Don't worry, I'm not switching sides. I'm just mad at everyone right now. I wish we just all had donkey hearts...with elephant balls.

3 comments:

  1. The phrase 'nominating people with their own rigid, social and moral agendas put into place' brought 3 immediate thoughts to mind. 1.) Rick Santorum and his unwavering demands. 2.) The picture of Rick Santorum's face made entirely out of porn. and 3.) The political realm is like a swamp to me; I could learn everything I need to know to equip me for it, and I would stumble out into it, trip on the tiniest rock, and drown in 3 inches of water. Or, 3 minutes of political argument. I love and understand and appreciate people as a whole. But once we get into politics, I am completely and totally unsure of the world around me, and as I'm learning more about it, I am completely okay with admitting that. But reading a blog like this is both food for the mind and a boat for the swamp. I like it. I like the multiplicity I can find in a place like this, where you go from music to politics to mac and cheese in one smooth transition. I've always like to hear what you have to say, and I'm kind of kicking myself for finding this blog this late. Thanks, man. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Any chance we can get a twitter Q&A with you?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Benny...Just stumbled upon this blog. I just wanted to say that I think the "donkey heart/elephant balls" quote is one of the greatest quotes I have ever heard about American politics. If we could only find a way to balance the two it would be great. The older I get the more elephantitis i develop. "If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain." Churchill...well I am fast approaching 32 now, house, wife, beautiful daughter...it's funny being an aging punk rocker ha. Life's a trip. PS...talked to you for awhile outside the Palladium in Worcester a few years back...think you were opening for Rise Against (don't really recall because I was there to see you guys) Thanks for not being a dick and I'm glad you guys are getting the attention you deserve. Although I am kinda bummed it cost me an arm and a leg to see you in Nov at the HOB beantown...I miss the upstairs Middle East shows of 200 people. But I digress...you guys play shows in MA and I will continue to come out to them. Late.

    ReplyDelete