I used to watch CNN almost daily. That greatly lessened when I started having children. Lately, though, since going to the gym and having 27 different TVs on, all broadcasting the latest news updates I have caught more than my fair share of CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and the like. It has become abundantly clear based on what I see daily on TV and just in my own personal experience that it is pointless to discuss politics. One side is never going to change the other side’s mind. Democrats and Republicans will never agree on much and each will continue to think the other side is wrong, ignorant, short sighted and the host of other stereotypes and impressions spoon fed by the media and shoveled down by the masses.
So, why is our society obsessed with constantly arguing and discussing politics? I have been guilty of it plenty of times as well. I guess I just don’t see the point anymore. Politics has become so polarized that regardless of how sound the logic of a Democrat is a Republican will never acknowledge that even if it makes them appear ignorant in the process and vice versa. It frankly is exhausting to constantly have to defend one’s reasons for believing a certain way and honestly is hovering dangerously outside the boundaries of social norms. I don’t understand why everything has to be a political battle or why every event has to be littered with political undertones
The constant back and forth tit for tat just seems like a waste of time, energy, and breath. People spend more time trying to convince others they are right. Why? You believe you are right. Probably most of the people you insulate yourself with think you are right and those that don’t will never think you are right anyway. So, for whose benefit are you preaching, arguing, lecturing, vilifying, etc.? I just don’t get it. I have become so fed up with the constant bickering by both parties and the people that support those parties that I really can hardly stand it.
There wasn’t much I agreed with Bush on, but I didn’t feel the need to talk about it all the time. And despite my overall displeasure with his presidency I can also acknowledge that he did some things right and well. So, I guess I find it interesting that those who criticized the Bush bashers so much are the first ones and the most vocal ones to be relentlessly Obama bashing right out of the gate, not even acknowledging when he does something right (like his handling of the Somali pirate situation). I find it an extreme position to declare that you are wholly opposed to everything he has done, will do, or might even consider doing. Obviously if you are a Republican you are not going to be a fan of Obama. Everyone knows that. And I mean everyone. Limbaugh has spoken. So, what is the point of screaming it from your rooftops? Those who are like-minded obviously agree with you and those who voted for Obama and even some of those who didn’t are going to disagree. You’re not going to convince anyone otherwise. So, again I ask, what is the point? More and more it is starting to look like there is none. I’m seriously contemplating canceling my cable service, canceling my Internet subscription, and running the treadmill with my eyes closed just to get a break from the constant negativity that has so permeated American culture. Can you tell I am fed up?
2 comments:
We watch very little tv, and that's one of the reasons. We also now have only the basic cable and find that we're not missing anything. I guess as long as they have an audience, they'll keep at it.
For the past five years we only had basic cable too. Right now we are on a year-long promotion for extended cable and frankly when it's expired we will be back to basic cable. There is just sooo much junk on TV all the time. I think you hit the nail on the head...as long as there is an audience.
Post a Comment