Can’t live with them, can’t live without them

But you can outvote them! And teach.

The silliness of the American left has accelerated from careful articles about Iraqi WMD’s in 2005, to we support the troops articles in 2006, to returning American veterans are likely to kill their fellow Americans in early 2008. And it is both those saying these things, and those reporting those who say these things. Some have even crossed the line and do both. The trend is accelerating. It seems to be coming to the point of absurdity where it will collapse of its own weight. While many agree with this collapse idea, in the meantime there are articles that state as facts that there were no WMD’s in Iraq, for example. This is a classic maneuver where if some idea is stated often enough, then some will eventually state it as fact, even though it is not. This use to be called propaganda. Now in America it is called advertising or media management during political campaigns. And not all is devious. Some of it is hard work as paid media types even do news releases for lazy reporters. And never assume media conspiracy when incompetence and laziness will do just fine.

Now the most laid back might suggest that this is business as usual, as in what is new? Americans are more savvy than many think about what they buy, be it goods or politicians, or even scientists. And while these laid back types may be correct, they may not be correct. In this question comes the main friction. The American future is not about whether one’s intuitive instincts are right or wrong, or even some “know the truth”, but rather that the consequences of being wrong are unacceptable to many Americans, as in beyond compare. In other words, we do have choices, and decisions, acts, and votes; and down-side things like advertising, propaganda, and political media management combined, will have real effects on our Country’s future.

This leads to an historical trend that amplifies the concern for the future. Good manners and behavior seem to have been superceded by the human instinct to vent their emotions. How are we to vote rationally if we can’t even talk to each other with the most basic manners. Probably today’s citizens are just as passionate as their ancestors, but our ancestors had the advantage of another way to engage. And engaging not too long ago had nothing to do with winning a political argument, an environmental argument, convincing someone to change their stripes, or insulting to make one feel better. That has always been a waste of time for most. Rather we could talk without insulting and demeaning. This is leadership 101. Chewing out is fine, insulting is unacceptable and counterproductive (and this a taught skill as few are born with it).

So while we in America seem to be suffering through a period of poor leaders (some are better than others), we can do something about the situation. Most of the solution is at the local and state levels, where the vote is key after all else is done. And some of us may get outvoted, but that is also so American. But at whatever level, inducing some decorum into political debate and discussion will be the start that can become the trend that is also so American. After all, “giant oaks from little acorns grow”.