Politics

You don't want to read this post, do you. Why? Maybe because politics is a messy conversation about big questions that none of us really know the answer to. Maybe because we're heard such horrid ill-conceived and mis-informed intellectual diarrhea ejected from the mouths from people we otherwise trust and like. To refute such garbage risks offending the person and we don't really care to get into an argument - nor are we really prepared to discuss the subject. This often means the folks that are most vocal about their bad ideas get to reign free. We recoil as we would confronted with an obese lady in hot pants. We are the ones giving these folks carte blank to do or say whatever the hell they want with no challenge or recourse.

It makes you want to walk up, stand tall and scream "you gotta earn the right to wear hot pants!" But here, she could simply rebut "git out my face cracker" and you really have no solid way to refute that - no devastating argument to prove she is unfit for hot pants. Now, when Taxme Sam flails about screaming "100% of your income should go to the government," one could possibly construct a convincing argument to the contrary. It doesn't matter if Taxme is broadcasting on every channel, every radio station, or waking you up in the middle of the night with a megaphone. Any attempt at manipulation can be completely ignored. If you disagree, a solid case whispered into someone's ear could easily trump all the blaring nonsense.

But, besides the attempts at brainwashing, I think politics is most unappealing for other reasons. So much of it is not really about the issues or philosophy. It's about power. The politicians who are most hungry for power, and those who are most willing to discard ethics are the ones who most easily get ahead. They line their pockets with promises to vote in their contributers' favor. Then they use their money to try to get votes however necessary. Who knows who's guns are pointed at the backs of the candidates' heads at the debates. I certainly can't afford that kind of voice. I don't know anyone who can.

Someone who brings up politics these days is suspect. "Who had brainwashed this person," "what is their real motivation." I agree. Everyone is suspect. And then there are those that simply vote for one party or the other without regard for massive shifts in positions. Those who are capable of ignoring bull shit have the responsibility to counterbalance it. All the advertising in the world cannot compete with critical thinking and real facts. When choosing the next leader of the free world, I believe it is important to identify the one who's motivation is based on powerful philosophical ideas, not power.

Yes, "coming out" for a political candidate is difficult, and has not been an enjoyable experience. I could only do it for someone running for the right reasons who is not pandering to huge corporate interests or trying to take advantage of people's weaknesses. Someone who has proven he believes what he says (this guy has been laughed at for 30 years without changing his positions). Most importantly, I'm not necessarily in favor of the candidate himself - I am in favor of his ideas.