Political Fanaticism: An Experiment In MadnessI am a politics nerd, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Everybody should be as obsessed with politics as I am, if you ask me, because every bill that is passed or vetoed affects each and every one of us, whether we realize it or not.
What I am not, however, is a fanatic. I diligently try to consider all viewpoints, even when they seem outright wrong. Lately, though, this has become extremely hard to do because the messages have become extremely fanatical.
For instance, just earlier today, radio host Neal Boortz appeared on the Sean Hannity show and claimed that President Barack Obama has been a bigger disaster to this country than 9/11. Need I remind you that 9/11 resulted in the demise of almost 3,000 Americans? You know what is even more shocking? The audience clapped at Boortz’s statement—just like they clapped at the idea of a man without insurance dying.
Meanwhile, Ann Coulter compared the Wall Street protesters to Nazis, Hank Williams Jr. equated President Obama with Hitler, Herman Cain claimed that all black people who vote for democrats are brainwashed, Andrew Breitbart spoke publicly about killing liberals, conservative bloggers ripped into the writers of a Muslim superheroes comic book for promoting the "Islamification of America,” the board chair of the National Organization of Marriage said gay marriage is “evil” and the vice president of the NRA alleged that Obama is after the 2nd amendment—though Obama has in fact done nothing to tighten firearm restrictions.
Such extremism is enough to drive a man mad. I imagine, in fact, that the Reverend Al Sharpton would have lost his mind if this had occurred during his youth—a time when he was quick to counter such extremism with even more extremism. As an older and much wiser man, however, he now realizes that fighting fire with poison is both unwise and foolish. I wish I felt the same, but I am still a young-buck with a lot of fire in my heart. And every time I hear bullshit being touted as truth, it infuriates the heck out of me—so much so that I get a bit loopy.
For example, I believe that a time will come when every American will have to make a choice and decide which side they support: the one that believes promoting civil liberties for everybody, welcoming those who are different with open arms, nourishing those who cannot afford food, educating the ignorant so they can rise up and succeed, helping the downtrodden learn to love themselves, healing all who are afflicted with a mental or physical condition, forgiving those who have sinned and loving one another all come before the acquirement of money—and the one that literally covets wealth over any and all things, including some of its own religious convictions.
The President would probably argue that I am being negative and counter-productive, but I disagree. I honestly do not think our problems can be rectified through mere negotiation. All it has done is use up valuable time. The only thing that can rectify this mess is the division of the United States into two separate entities: blue America and red America. It would allow each side to run things their way. And the only way to bring about this division is if each and every one of us purchases a gun, finds someone with whom we disagree, shoots him or her in the head and then repeats the previous steps until the government finally has enough and caves to our demands.
Now look, you might have concluded by now that I am being rather hyperbolic, but what if I am? Do I not also have the right, like those I previously mentioned, to go off the deep end and lay the demagogic smack down, even if everything I say may or may not be total bullshit—and even if I may in the process completely confuse and perhaps even frighten those who are ignorant of what is really occurring around us? So if I possess this right, why should I not go ahead and just blabber out whatever badly organized, foolish dribble is circulating in my demented mind?
Because fanaticism solves absolutely nothing—this is why. All it does is dilute the truth with bullshit. And the thing about bullshit, and any shit for that matter, is that it stinks. The real truth is you and I as Americans can either choose to engage in fanaticism, which could potentially one day really lead to a violent confrontation, or you and I as rational Americans can opt to cast aside the bullshit prejudices we have about one another and sit down at a table for a peaceful, meaningful negotiation on how the hell we can come to terms with our differences . . .
I await your decision.
Signed,
Young Money Democrat (#YMCMB)
PS @ Lil Wayne: I do it because I believe strongly in my convictions.
Jobs & InnovationWhen I heard about Steve Jobs’ death, I was initially overcome with a sense of jealousy. This was due in part to the super-duper coverage regarding his passing. This was also due to the fact that I am a die-hard Windows fan (Macs are for noobs!). Now, jokes aside, I obviously have a deep-found respect for the man and his achievements, and I am certainly sad as per his far-too-early demise, but the jealousy that overcame me did at least inspire some introspection.
What makes Jobs so unique is that he brought forth completely new ideas and products. And frankly, I want to do the same thing. One reason I lack passion is because everything I do or could possibly do has already been done. I started writing satire, but The Onion and Comedy Central already have that department covered. I got into e-cigarette affiliate marketing, but 100s of other people are already doing it. Then I got into survival food affiliate marketing, only to discover 1000s of other people are already doing it. I have thought about creating a politics blog or Facebook group, but again, 1000s of people are already doing it.
One problem I have with capitalism is that it promotes redundancy. The fact that 100s and 1000s of companies compete to sell practically the exact same products irks the hell out of me. I do not want to be 1 of 100, 1000, 10,000 or 100,000. I want to be unique, innovative and somebody great. And greatness cannot be achieved through boring-as-hell redundancy. It has to come from out-of-this-world innovation—the kind of innovation Steve Jobs brought to this world.
Sighs. I’m just so sick of doing things that everybody else has already done. I want to do something completely new—something that has never been done. Seriously, how can a man or woman find any passion doing something others are also doing? It seems so pointless. So very very pointless.
DrugsMany people, including Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have a very bad image of pharmaceutical medications. While I am aware that the pharmaceutical industry has an agenda that revolves strictly around profits, I believe that the drugs themselves are not innately bad. Case in point: Earlier this week, my very kind state-sponsored psychiatrist upped my Paroxetine dose by 10mg. Only a few days have passed, and yet I can already tell a subtle difference, in that I feel slightly less anxious. I’m also a bit more talkative and relaxed. The point is that medicines can work.
Speaking of medications, the medication I really wish I were on is Adderall. The state does not cover it, but if I were on it, I bet I would be a new person. I pass ADD tests because it’s easy to focus when under pressure, but I know for a fact I have ADD to the extreme. I know this in part because my dog has become just like me. This heffer has no sense of focus, lol.
Redistribution of WealthPersonally, I believe in the redistribution of wealth. Why do Will and Jada Smith need a $7.5M ranch? Have they become so fat from years of gluttonous eating that they absolutely need an 8800 Sq. Ft. home to sustain themselves?
I chose them so as to not immediately alienate conservatives. I believe everybody should have the opportunity to live in his or her own home. My brother makes a lot of money, but he likes to live with a lot of people. That is his decision, and I respect it. But many of us want to be alone, and I think we deserve that right. It will never come to fruition, however, in a world where people are so overpaid:
CEOs like Donald Trump
Actors like Will and Jada Smith
Politicians like John Boehner, Harry Reid and Eric Cantor
Radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Michael Baisden (sorry, Mike, but I am trying to make a point)
Etc…
It is one thing to be successful and live a moderate life with a few luxuries here and there, while it is another thing altogether to use all the extraneous funds to fund a ridiculously extravagant lifestyle. That money could be put to much better use if it were redistributed to where it is really needed.
Yes, I am kind of a socialist. And no, I am not moving to China, because I am also kind of a capitalist as well. I think we need a fusion of socialism and capitalism to fix our dilemma. I am tired of all of the ridiculously high, as well as ridiculously low, salaries out there. Success is one thing—but gluttony, whether via food or wealth, is another thing altogether.
