The Beowolfe

If ever there was a night to write about the American political system, tonight seems most appropriate, as little Iowans everywhere wait in anticipation for their caucus votes to be tallied in what ultimately begins an 8-month shitstorm leading up to the 2012 Presidential election.  I by no means consider myself any sort of expert on our political system, although it greatly interests me.  However, I have gotten completely fed up with the ridiculousness and lies being constantly spewed from every direction.  It’s time for me to voice my opinion.

The bi-partisan nature of our political system has completely shattered the idea of the cohesive democracy we’ve all been taught America possesses.  Not for decades has our nation stood as one, but instead we do everything we can to separate all issues – be they moral, economical, social, whatever – into black and white; Democrat vs Republican, Left-wing vs Right-wing, Liberal vs Conservative.  The notion that such complex issues as tax increases and supplemental assistance programs can be split into two opposing sides is completely ludicrous.

Politicians are elected by their constituents to serve the needs of their constituents, not to serve the “goals” of their respective political party.  Straight-ticket voting, both by politicians and citizens, is the most asinine modus operandi and is completely destroying our political system.  There is absolutely no way you can convince me someone agrees with 100% of the other members of their party and disagrees with 100% of the members of the opposing party; it is impossible to even consider for a second that a politician is representing the views and needs of their constituents when they continue to engage in this never-ending quarrel against “the other guys.”

Helping to perpetuate this utter nonsense, the media and our “news” organizations have shattered any chance of cooperation.  Fox News, who laughably consider themselves un-biased, run constant libelous smear attacks against any Democrat, especially our President.  Similarly, CNN and MSNBC and the other “left-wing media” campaign in ceaseless warfare against all Republicans.  Viewers have divided into corresponding factions, spreading disinformation like wildfire amongst their troops.  Anytime unseemly (and typically anonymous) details about politician come out, they are quick to blame it on the “gotcha questions” of the “liberal media” or the “conservative media” like there is a divided America out to get them; the sad reality is that this dissolution is becoming more and more of a reality.  Our mainstream media sells entertainment and gossip, neatly packaged and labeled as political opinions and news.  It’s disgusting.

Thirty seconds looking at the comments section of any political website is all you need to realize how sickeningly disillusioned so many Americans have become.  Commenters are split into one of two demographics, liberals or conservatives.  Based on the stories and comments bolstered by these festering communities, one would have no choice but to assume that every “libtard” is a leach upon society hell-bent on sucking every penny from the middle and upper classes by raising taxes and growing the government, and every Republican is a corrupt thief extracting as much wealth out of the country as they can while lining their pockets on the broken dreams of the 99%.  Not to mention, the atrocious grammar and spelling by all sides as they accuse the other of running this country into the ground.

I have never, and probably never will, registered with any political party.  There are many things I agree with and disagree with in each party, and to commit myself to one goes against everything I believe, not that I have any issue with someone registered one way or the other.  I do, however, take extreme issue with people who align themselves completely with a particular side.  Never in a million years will you convince me that the best candidate in this upcoming election is “anyone but Obama” – if that’s your mentality, I’m sorry, but I think you’re a complete disgrace.  It is absolutely unfathomable that while we are still months away from having any idea as to who will be running against our President in this upcoming election, millions of people have already declared that they will vote for whoever runs against our “socialist, Marxist, Kenyan, Muslim, illegally-elected, non-citizen President.”  On second thought, especially considering I live in the redneck Bible Belt, it’s not surprising at all.  I have no clue who I will be voting for in this next election – I’m extremely dissatisfied with the broken promises and forsaken liberties that the Obama administration has produced over the past 3 years – but until the candidates and their platforms are announced, I will reserve my opinion.

Lastly in this little rant of mine, I sometimes just want to crawl in a hole and never return when I think about the corruption and sheer admiration for a complete lack of intelligence that is so proudly displayed by politicians.  Sure, Washington and corporate America have always had their hands in each other’s pockets, but it is wildly out of control.  Thanks to the wonderful Citizens United ruling in 2010, Corporate Personhood had allowed corporations to make unlimited contributions to various politicians in order to advance their causes.  After all, corporations are people, and money is free speech.  I’m sorry, but this is entirely fucked up beyond comprehension.  I am all for corporations being able to fight for their rights in Washington and fully support capitalism and the ability to earn money.  However, I find it reprehensible that the Supreme Court has declared that because a corporation has more money than me, they are entitled to an entirely different set of rules; a game in which politicians gamble with the rights and livelihood of ordinary citizens in order to get rich quick.

Just take a look at the recent pieces of legislation, SOPA and Protect IP, which would effectively destroy the internet as you know it.  In fact, if these bills were to pass, this website would probably be blocked to all American viewers.  Crafted by members of the largest media corporations and members of Congress under the guise of “stopping online piracy,” these bills are opposed by nearly every company that deals with technology on a regular basis; Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter – You know, those companies that basically facilitate your entire means of communication anymore.  For sake of proving my point, two of the main Congressional staffers who have helped pushed these bills through, Allison Halataei and Lauren Pastarnack, left their respective positions in the past few weeks to work as lobbyists for the MPAA and NMPA.  After fighting for these organizations in Congress in order to destroy the internet, both of these staffers left to go work directly for these organizations.

I’d really like to tackle the categorical corruption and hypocrisy that is the Evangelical right-wing in politics right now, but I’ll save that for another post and another night.  Let me just state that the United States absolutely was not established as a Christian nation, and the perception by many that their beliefs should trump the civil liberties of all citizens is entirely inadmissible.  I’ll end this with somewhat of a plea, however: our country desperately needs a viable third party.  Hell, it could use a strong fourth, fifth and sixth party while we’re at it.  Bi-partisanship has destroyed America’s foundation and will ultimately lead to the desecration of everything this beautiful country of ours once stood for.  Read about the issues from numerous sources, listen to opposing viewpoints, and please – for the love of God – start forming your own opinions.