Ignorance is Strength

I'm going to preface this post by admitting I dislike politics and politicians. Yet, I realize it is a necessary evil. Part of my frustration is based in the fact that politicians distinguish themselves from each other superficially, yet beneath the surface, their ideals and goals seem to be the same. Most Americans seem to feel a sense pride in picking "one side" over the other, buying into the scheme.

Politicians gain faithful followers by attacking the other party, and American citizens blindly take sides, allowing these Politicians to grow in power. Why should I care about said Politician? Because siding with one party makes some sort of difference? Well yes, only in the way that the greater the number of followers, the more power they have. But, like I said, politics is necessary because that is how anything gets changed in this country. So these wealthy, well-educated, and predominantly sheltered Caucasian men are supposed to represent this country? Well, apparently to change laws, and thusly change our lives (supposedly for the better), we must trust in their perfectly coiffed toupees, shiny veneers, and expensive suits.

Politics in America is so very superficial it's embarrassing. I don't trust in the Old Boy's Club who poke and prod their citizens and draw differences between themselves when really there exist none--- just to make us think we actually have a say-- that we are governing ourselves, essentially... that the politician is actually a fair representation of the American public. But, Politicians could have only achieved this sort of power over through the citizens. The American public enables this power by buying into their game, yet is blissfully oblivious of doing so.

An example of the convoluted American perception of Politicians is the admiration and fascination with President Obama. Now, before I proceed, I would like to clarify that I believe Obama was the lesser of two evils (when compared to the ridiculously laughable McCain/Palin combo). Yet, I do not think that it really matters who won the Presidency. It would've been the same thing in a different package.

The public's superficiality is apparent in the overwhelming acceptance of Obama after he was elected, and still today, although now public acceptance is lower than it was previously. Yet, most of Obama's followers do not know what the issues are, and even what Obama's position on said issue is.

Is it not a bit pathetic that President Obama has made politics "cool"?... I think this "blind-following" has especially been apparent in the American youth who saw Obama as a stark contrast to the "typical Politician." I couldn't disagree more with this notion. In fact, I find that this sentiment that Obama is radically different from all other Politicians and all other Presidents is (subconsciously) racist. Not in the typical, bigoted redneck sort of way, though. As far as I can tell, the only thing that is different about Obama is the color of his skin. I welcome this added diversity to our government, yet I don't think that this should be the sole factor on why you should like Obama. So, basically what I'm meaning to say is that the only reason why American youth likes him is because he's Black. And even that point has been criticized by those who argue the age old "nature vs nurture" question. Is he black because he looks black? Or is he actually white, being that he was raised by his white mother, and was completely estranged from his father who was his only connection to his Black heritage?

I think it shouldn't matter whether he is black or white, yet I feel this was the reason many young Americans became interested in the Presidential Election of 2008, and it remains the reason for many of his "fans." Which leads me to my next point. Obama has become more of a celebrity than a politician. But, in accordance with this post, you will be able to tell that for me, not just Obama but all politicians have become celebrities. The real issues become non-issues for the American public, whereas the "fluff" becomes the important stuff. For one example, social security will be drained by the time my generation would need it, yet this issue has become a non-issue. In fact, surely many Obama fans could be totally ignorant of this issue. Yet, I wonder if you were to ask Obama fans if he owns a dog, they would be able to provide you with the breed and name of said mongrel. This ridiculous superficiality and attention to non-issues could just be another example of why other countries hate the U.S.

I originally set out to comment on Obama's State of the Union Address from last week, but instead I began to explain my political views a bit. So, I'll just end with a quote from Obama's Address:
"We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it's time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength."

Am I the only one who thinks he's saying the opposite of what is actually happening? "Fear" and "division" is what Politicians operate on.

As far as "a government that matches our decency"? I'll let the reader form their own opinion on the decencies of both the government and the people.

And lastly, a quote from George Orwell's 1984 to give you the warm and fuzzies:

"For if leisure and security were enjoyed by all alike, the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves; and when once they had done this, they would sooner or later realise that the privileged minority had no function, and they would sweep it away. In the long run, a hierarchical society was only possible on a basis of poverty and ignorance. ... Ignorance is Strength"