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October 01, 2005

American Politics are Killing Progress

America on the Edge

America is on the brink of a serious catastrophe, and it is not a storm with a name. Major issues are being ignored, as a conflicted public bickers. Those of us who have not grown completely apathetic to our republic's politics, spar about war in Iraq, our government's response to natural disaster (hurricanes Katrina and Rita), global warming, race, class and the role of government in all of the above. While debate in any form maintains open lines of communication, the arguments themselves tend to take form and shadow the real issues. The passions of our convictions often keep us from being part of the solution. Emotions take the focus off of the causes we support, and all of our frustration ends up being cast as a blanket over every perceived opponent in sight. These unfocused attacks on all things government, all Democrats, all Republicans, all liberals, all conservatives, all socialists, etc. serve no purpose but to alienate and divide the people who must work together toward progress.

America Has Serious Issues

In oil shortages and fuel prices we have real issues that affect us all. The following quote is an example of how passion for this issue gets the best of us, and the all encompassing blanket of blame makes forward progress an impossibility:

“Those who scoff at Peak Oil, and argue that Peak is not real, are missing the only important point. The criminal acts of this Empire—from 9/11 to the sequential oil war under the "war on terrorism" rubric, to the USA PATRIOT Act and militarization of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast (a rehearsal for the military control of the United States under post-Peak conditions), and unfolding economic crises—are continuing, as if Peak is real. The entire argument has been rendered academic by actual events. It is time to stop wasting time.”

Larry Chin, Online Journal Associate Editor

Whether you agree with these comments or not (if you do, please seek help), you have to agree that there is no room for debate or forward progress here- no possibility of finding common ground we can begin a discussion on. Even someone, like myself, who agrees peak oil is a serious issue is left unable to support or work with someone of these convictions. Such fantastic conspiracy theories only alienate those who might otherwise be interested in the same goal.

In Iraq, we are witnessing the war on terrorism in progress. We need to appropriately address the very real issues of unacceptable armor for our troops and lack of adequate support for the troops and their families from those of us safe at home (including our government). Instead of talk about the real issues of the Iraq war, we get tirades like this:

“George Bush needs to stop talking, admit the mistakes of his all around failed administration, pull our troops out of occupied New Orleans and Iraq, and excuse his self from power.”

Cindy Sheehan, anti-war, anti-Bush activist

Ms. Sheehan has become the poster woman for the anti-war and anti-Bush movements. Cape Cod Today commenter “Since 1969” described her best: “she [Ms. Sheehan] is intoxicated with her own celebrity and reliving her youth as are many of the anti-war people.” Hate for the President seems the driving force behind the agendas of these activists, and there is no communicating with hate. There is no possibility of a sensible dialogue with people so intent on destroying our country, our government and our military.

While the media anxiously backpedals on its post-Katrina coverage, trying to get the facts separated from the propaganda that was originally reported as news, we are left with very serious questions about FEMA and a government grown too big for its britches. When we have FEMA people telling disaster victims who have no phone service or internet to call a phone number or go to a web site for aid- we have a serious problem (and there is nothing political about it). The problem here is a bureaucracy grown too big to handle. We can focus on FEMA, President Bush, Homeland Security or anyone else we want to blame, but our government monster has just grown too damn big to function effectively. The answer is less government, not more... which brings me to tax cuts.

Several times in recent weeks I have witnessed numerous assaults on conservatives that included the subject of tax cuts- comments such as these from right here on the Cape Cod Today web site:

“I bet you and the rest of your right-wing kook friends have a pool going as to when the 2000th American soldier will die in Iraq. I'm sure you and your buddies will get your rocks off over that while spending your undeserved tax cut!” Mr. Mike

For now, I am talking about tax cuts, I will ignore the incredibly stupid implication that any true American wishes harm on our troops. What tax cut could possibly be undeserved? That is the most ridiculous statement I have ever and perhaps will ever hear. Regardless of who receives a tax cut, whether it is a large corporation or you and I, taxes are our money! Perhaps you are in a situation that somehow allows you to live tax free, but the majority of us are not. I, for one, find the current drain on my pay check unconscionable. It is also a proven fact that tax cuts boost the economy and bring in... more tax revenues! Again, bigger government and more government spending on programs is not the answer- lower taxes and limiting government is.

Issues of race, class and poverty: we have a critical breakdown of the family unit, entire communities completely dysfunctional, and a rampant decline in values that are the real causes behind all of these. We can create government programs until all of our resources are exhausted, but without addressing these issues, these problems will never be fixed. These issues deserve far more space and attention than a short paragraph, but I do no purport to have all of the solutions. That those who bring these problems up are marked as racist or uncaring speaks to the perpetuation of this dilemma itself. Real solutions start at the individual and community level and are something we should all have a hand in.

Global warming should not have to be an accepted, proven fact or debated. Regardless of your take on the issue, the simple fact is we are seriously screwing with our environment. Many of those crusading on global warming have been lost in the debate and have lost focus on the real issue of reducing pollution. For example, a recent Google search turned up only one organization in our country with an “Idle Free” program that seeks to limit automotive emissions by idling vehicles. Everyone is so caught up in the argument, that real solutions are not even addressed. Canada and other countries have the right idea with “idle free zones” where you will face fines if caught idling a car or truck. I have called businesses that charge the company I work for fuel surcharges for deliveries and asked them why they don't institute a no-idle policy for their trucks if they are so affected by fuel prices... no answer to that one. The question isn't even part of our consciousness here in the United States, and that is because we are too busy arguing and finger pointing to look at our own behaviors. On Cape Cod we have the unique opportunity to have the first wind farm in the country right in our back yard. Here we have a perfect example of progress that is being killed by politics.

Opportunity for Progress

In Technology and Democracy, Daniel J Boorstin defines the democratic society as one which is ruled by the ideal of equality, and the desire to give “everything to everybody.” Electronic media and new technologies have often perpetuated the separation and divisions between us. Now, with internet technologies such as blogging we have succeeded in leveling the playing field, and offer everyone the opportunity to participate. In the blog, we have found a means of breaking down the walls between us; we have also removed the barriers that prohibited our experience of reality. Where other technologies have made it easier for us to avoid meaningful contact and communication with others, the blog has made immediate, intelligent interaction between people commonplace again. Yes, for many the blog is a simple means of self expression, a means of communicating with the inner self, no feedback required. For others it is just a game, a hobby or a fad. Businesses are now adopting them to communicate with customers, to encourage peer to peer communication, and to keep stock holders updated. We have blogs on every subject, from history to collecting stamps. Friends keep tabs on each other and parents share their daily trials. But it is public blogs, reporting news and expressing opinion, that have reversed years of technology induced isolation. Although the communication is limited by our being hidden behind computer screens (and often the anonymity of screen names), it is real dialogue. At least in communication we have hope of progress, because without it there would be none.

Were we less focused on the popular seek and destroy mentality found in blog comments and forums, we might find more similarities between us. Unfortunately, there are some for whom common ground is not possible. Several times in my blogs, I have pointed to this mentality as being the scourge that molded me into the conservative I have become. If a “Christian” handed me a bible tract telling me I was going to hell as I walked down Main Street in Hyannis I would be offended. What is “Christian” about judging someone you have never seen in your church? In politics we suffer the same affliction, and I have yet to have anyone address this in any comments here. In my post, How Katrina Turned Me Republican, I honestly explained my aversion to the rudeness and self-centeredness of these attackers. This article has since been described as “transparent Republican propaganda.” Unfortunately, there is nothing transparent about what I am saying– I hide nothing of my distaste for rudeness and personal attacks on people based on their beliefs. The pervasiveness of this disgusting habit is the single most overlooked and unarguable cause behind my registering as a Republican. Most people take serious issue with being judged (and verbally assaulted) by anyone who does not know them. Although our beliefs may differ, we share many common needs and goals. We can only hope that the more we are exposed to “the other side” here in the blogoshpere, the more human we may seem to each other.

Posted by capecodcyclist at October 1, 2005 10:04 PM

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