Squeaky wheels

He who speaks loudest gets the most attention. It starts the moment a baby is born and continues throughout our lives, whether it is a poopy diaper or a political talk show host, attention is given to the one who screams. I should know, we have a newborn and I am quietly getting very little attention right now!

Sometimes I like to analyze things from a psychological perspective, which I will do here, even though I hold no degree or expertise in the field of psycho therapy. Then again, who is an expert anyway? We can see from most of the talking heads on TV that indeed there are few experts, but many opinions. In my “opinion” the best expertise comes from experience, which is why I hold little regard for those who seek war but have never been to war.

The biggest debate of blowhards of late is the one between the right and the left. The conservatives and the liberals are so polarized right now; I wouldn’t be surprised to see Civil War II. They are already going back to the days of Tea Parties, so I can only figure we’ll see a standoff at Fort Sumter coming some time soon.

The biggest problem I have with the ongoing debates is the ignorance and lack of decorum that takes place once someone chooses a political party. Once one has the label of liberal or conservative all conversation stops and righteous positioning takes place. It reminds me of dealing with my ex wife and her family. If I attempt to speak with reason or open mindedness, I am shut down like a black man on the stand in 1950s Mississippi, and the prosecution continues bombarding with insults and allegations. There is no desire for a two way conversation. As I said many times to my ex, conversation has the prefix “co,” which means at least two people are involved in the talks. I guess she thinks the other participants are the voices in her head.

Ok, back to the crap going on with our country…

The division is really hurting us. As the loud mouthed pundits rally their misinformed troops to protest and shout, they forget that progress needs to be achieved, and better ratings for them does not signify forward motion. Actually, it only leads to more of the same, and we can ill afford (literally) any more stagnation.

Specifically, the Tea Parties are bothering me right now. Glenn Beck, one of the key leaders in the polarization, has put ideas into the minds of the fearful, a tactic used to move the masses since the beginning of time. And now the man with lots to say yet little experience in the topic he speaks of has delayed anything to move in a direction that would help, not hinder our own citizens.

I stopped by one of these parties. Trust me; there was no “party” atmosphere that I would find enticing. If someone invited me to a soiree that called for screaming insults, carrying signs with false accusations and drawing moustaches on our president, well I don’t think I would RSVP.

Yeah, come on over and have some fun! You can have an angry face for the entire time you are here and shout at anyone or anything that disagrees with you. And don’t bring any semblance of informed opinion. Leave your own personality at home. No laughing allowed and certainly no talk of resolution. All we ask is that you rehearse what you heard on television and radio. Individuality is not welcome.

Yes! How can I score an invite to this bash?!

When I spoke to the people at the gathering, I did so with respect and honor. I truly wanted to hear what this cause was about, but again, just like my ex, I couldn’t sift through the rage to see what the outrage was about. After many attempts to peacefully inquire, I managed few words or even full sentences. Interrupting is a key component to the Loud Party.

I asked one person after another what this debate was truly about. Not a single protestor could tell me the gist of what they were yelling about. Zero of the brigade has ever read what our president is proposing with his health care plan. None of the people I spoke to had any idea what was contained in the initiative as they blurted out words like “socialism” or “communist.”

Oh, none of them could define socialism or communism either, or the potential effects if a plan like the one on the table would do to harm our way of life. None of the gathered group has actually been to another country or found out what systems work in other lands. They also did not know what a lemming was or what they are known for – following others to their death off a cliff without question or inquiry.

Just like children, the throngs of people went along with the popular folks, chanting and bellowing out slogans and catch phrases as if that gave what they were saying any credence or credibility.

These are folks who are guided by those in the mass media who would rather have a boost in the Nielsons than be a part of positive change. Good ratings on TV are akin to being popular in school, where substance is summarily dismissed. What we fail to recognize is many of the kids who got invited to all the events and scored with the girls were selfish jackasses. They are all about themselves and how they can get over and not about the greater good. I’ve never witnessed a jock asking a nerd how he felt about getting a wedgie.

Our media lacks integrity and there is no one to monitor the crap they put out as news.

I am including the “liberal” media too. I hold no position or backing of any particular side of the aisle or political persuasion. I do know my beliefs are quiet ones, with very few reading what I write or following my agenda. Whenever I do write something a little out of the scope of straight comedy, immediately there are calls for prejudicial lefty Hollywood thinking. I hear assignment of blame no matter what the issue, as those who oppose my views site examples of liberal politicians who have been destructive to our country.

To them I say, I can’t stand the whole lot of ya! I don’t care for an angry Keith Olberman as much as I think Bill O’Reilly is a blow hard. Both of the networks they work for have men at the front who out yell one another, each claiming with such arrogance to be right and justified in their anger.

If you speak about economic conditions, I am so tired of hearing the blame game take place, pointing out which president inherited which mess from whom.

What I say (quietly, but with enthusiasm) is forget which party the administration comes from and find ways where you can support him. Our “party” has a mess. I don’t give a damn who you think caused it, we all drink from the same keg so get a trash bag and chip in on the cleanup!