Politickin’ Time Bomb

American politics is one of the most often discussed, and least understood, topics in our society today.  I concede that my knowledge of the government’s inner workings and policies is minimal; but the big difference between me a lot of other people is that I will voluntarily plead ignorance when something goes beyond my understanding.  It seems like more and more U.S. citizens have strong opinions just for the sake of having them, thereby giving the illusion that they are informed on a given issue.  This is comparable to the old rap line that has been repeated in numerous songs, “You talkin’ loud, but ain’t sayin’ shit.”  You will hear those who identify themselves as Democrats contend that Republicans are arrogant, rich elitists who are stuck in the past.  Republicans claim Democrats are liberal pansies who are opening up this country to terrorists while turning towards socialism.  Independents probably (I’ve yet to meet anyone who admits to being affiliated with this political party) believe that the other two can’t do anything to help the country, because they are too busy arguing over anything and everything.  And you know what?  They are all right if you make sweeping judgments about the groups as a whole, which are based on the actions or words of a few who are talkin’ louder than the others.

An example of our blissful ignorance when it comes to politics took place this past weekend in Washington D.C. at Glenn Beck’s highly publicized “Restoring Honor” rally.  The event raised money for a non-profit organization for military veterans – which is commendable – and was touted as a “values-and-patriotism event to restore honor in America,” as well as “a celebration of America’s heroes and heritage.”  While I tend to agree with Beck (just typing that made me vomit in my mouth a little) in thinking our country has deteriorated, we differ greatly on the perceived causes of this downfall.  He seems to believe all of our problems will go away if we as a nation turn back to our faith in God.  I believe religion – like political affiliation – is yet another thing that further divides people, and discounts the multitude of similarities and experiences we share as human beings.  Beck thinks our freedoms are being taken away, and that we have strayed away from our country’s roots.  I think freedom is now more of a state of mind, and a brief history lesson reveals that our roots are filled with delusions of manifest destiny and genocide.

I will also give Beck credit for publicly promoting this rally as a non-political event, even though that’s an unusual – and shady – decision considering his fame is derived from televised, tear-infused political diatribes.  But after watching the following video, it looks like some of the attendees at the rally didn’t get the memo.  Yes, I know that everyone who is interviewed in the video is handpicked, and realize it’s edited to illustrate only the dumbest and least articulate individuals in Washington D.C. at Beckapalooza.  They only comprise a very small sample size, and unfairly shed a negative light on everyone else who was present.  Having said that, it still represents one of the single biggest factors affecting our society – that being pure, unadulterated ignorance.  Some may watch this video and automatically think I am a card-carrying Democrat, or a liberal, fascist commie who loves Barack Obama.  But the truth is that idiots come from all different walks of life, and have varying opinions on our government – it just so happened that some of them chose to open themselves up for scrutiny by giving an interview at this particular gathering: