Shut Up And Listen 161

Why Partisanship Makes Me Laugh

There are people who think Bush is smart. I'm serious. Why? Because he's a conservative and so are they.

What is it about similar beliefs that make people so fucking blind and stupid? It's the same with any political group, not just conservatives. I mean, Clinton was a shitty human being who cheated on his wife and people overlooked that (not that that was enough to warrant anyone questioning his ability to do his job though). I just find it funny that the minute a person becomes involved with a similar view, he or she all of a sudden becomes above reproach. Really, you'd think that would people more critical. I mean, I know I'm rather critical of people who have the same beliefs as me, because if they're morons then it makes me look a moron by default. I don't want to be associated with someone who may make my views seem less valid because of the way they express them. If I was a conservative in America, I'd like to think I'd recognise that Bush is a lying moron who really shouldn't be president. Fuck the fact that he's a Republican. A lying moron is a lying moron.

The thing I find rather amusing is debates about September 11 and whether or not Bush could have prevented it. There is where we have the partisanship come out big time. I'll do a little recreation for you here of a typical conversation:

Person 1: Bush knew and didn't do anything! (Insert an article supporting this view.)

Person 2: It wasn't Bush's fault! Clinton didn't prepare adequately! (Insert an article supporting this view.)

Person 1: It was Bush's fault!

Person 2: It was Clinton's fault!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Person 1: Bush!

Person 2: Clinton!

Well, you get the idea. The conversation doesn't go anywhere. It's just the same bullshit over and over and over again and anyone observing just rights both sides off as mindless fools who can't actually form an intelligent opinion on their own, relying only on big organizations to tell them who is right and who is wrong. You know how this could be solved with great ease? Just realise that both of them fucked up! The thing is, it isn't exactly an either/or situation here. You can think both guys are idiots who suck(ed) as president. Hell, I do. Maybe because I come from a political system with more than two parties, I'm just used to thinking many people are total and utter morons.

It's an easy thing to learn. Here, I'll give you some tips.

Step one: forget what the persona's political affiliation is. This only clouds your judgement. Forget it. Fuck it. Not important.

Step two: look at what the person has done, ignoring the politics of it. Did Bush lie to the American people? Yes. How do we know that? It's a fact. What he lied about isn't important. Just the fact that he lied is. The same goes for Clinton. He lied.

Step three: look at what kind of person the person is. Are they a good person really? Are they a fucking asshole? Do you like them? Do you respect them? Bill Maher is someone who I disagree with quite a lot, but I like and respect the guy. Same goes for friends I have. Why should you treat politicians any differently than you would people you know in real life? If you knew a real fucking asshole who lied all the time, it wouldn't matter if you agreed with his political views, you'd think the guy's a fucking asshole who lies all the time.

I can respect loyalty. Loyalty is a big thing for me. But politicians don't deserve your loyalty just because they share some opinions, okay? I don't feel any loyalty to Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP just because he's the leader of the party I agree with the most. Why would I? Am I retarded or something? Loyalty is earned. Has he done anything to earn it? Maybe a little, but nothing that would make me overlook him doing something very fucking stupid. For all you people who liked Clinton, what did he do to earn your loyalty? What about Bush, all you Bush supporters? Has he done anything really to earn your loyalty?

I just want people to stop following these asshole blindly, because face it: they're all fucking assholes! Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal, fuck them all! Start actually looking at their actions and not just assume they're doing the right thing because they lean the same side of the political spectrum. Use your brains.

Or don't and keep arguing the way you do. At least then I'll get some entertainment.