Sunday Morning Blog

September 04, 2005

Why Do Americans Hate Politics?

"No wonder Americans hate politics when, year in and year out, they hear politicians make promises that won't come true because they don't even mean them - campaign fantasies that win elections but don't get nations moving again."

Bill Clinton, Detroit Economic Club, August 21, 1992
42nd president of the United States (1946 - )

This week's events are a perfect example of why Americans have come to hate politics. When the nation should be unified and focused on the task at hand, our attention is diverted by those who seek to use this tragedy as political ammunition. We are hearing a lot of negativity from the Bush and America haters out there... a whole lot of mean-spirited talk that won't help to get the nation moving again. After September eleventh, everyone was focused on rescue, helping the families of those who lost loved ones and celebrating the heroes who sacrificed their lives in their efforts to rescue those in harms way. Where are the stories of the heroes after hurricane Katrina? There are hundreds, if not thousands. Their stories will be told in time. Unfortunately, today we must endure the politics, muck raking and blame game that has ensued since this catastrophe. Who wants to be part of a process that has become so self-serving that something so terrible is spun into a political debate?

Do you know me? Do you think you know my political affiliations? Yes, many of my views are conservative, but I have many concerns considered liberal. I have been registered Independent (and have voted that way) for all of my eighteen voting years. Just because I think anger at this disaster is being misdirected, does not mean I don't share many views with you. If I didn't attend your church, would that mean I was going to hell? That is the attitude, venomously spit out by some of those who have convicted our President in all of this. Expressing the contrary opinion that our President is not to blame, but our priorities as a country are at fault, I have been called a "scumbag" and an "ass ****." It is no wonder that many people hate politics.

Too many of us are more focused on confrontation and blame placing than we are on contributing to the solution. Anyone touched by this situation is going to be left feeling that the response has been inadequate. However, had the entire country been lined up at these state's borders, waiting for the storm to pass, we would have been left with the same scenario. This storm was devastating, and those closest to it are understandably emotionally spent and looking for answers. We all are. We must move on from this and focus on being part of the positive force that holds us together as a nation.

Posted by capecodcyclist at September 4, 2005 09:13 PM