How Americans react. (953 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: -0.55 on 14 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <mickid77.at.comcast.net> (View user info) at 2004-09-23 21:37:05 EDT
"If the majority of a self governing people are sober-minded, enlightened, studious of right, capable of comparing and balancing opposite interpretations of a fundamental law, or opposite views of a particular system of policy; then all appeals addressed to them in messages, speeches, pamphlets and from the thousand-tongued newspaper press, will be calm, dispassionate, adapted at once to elucidate the subject under consideration and to instruct and elevate the mind of the arbiters.
But, on the other hand, if the people are ignorant, fickle, averse to or incapable of, patient inquiry, prone to hasty decisions from plausible appearances, or reckless from prejudice or passion, then the demagogues who address, will adapt themselves to the dupes who hear, just as certainly as the hunter adapts his lure to the animal he would ensnare; and flattery, imposture, falsehood, the vindication and eulogy of fellow partisans however wicked, and the defamation of opponents however virtuous, will be the instruments by which a warfare, destructive in end alike to victors and vanquished, will be waged."
-Horace Mann, 1842
The current election in America is disgusting. Neither candidate can take a clear stand on an issue, except for George W. Bush's stand on Iraq, which appeals mainly to the misguided terror and prejudices caused by the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. Instead of hearing important issues on where the candidates stand, the voters are instead bombarded by accusations that John Kerry received botox treatments, or that Bush's military record is incomplete. Neither of these issues has any bearing on the current abilities of either candidate to run a nation. All of the issues discussed about either candidate seem to be about trivial issues about their actions twenty years ago. Fahrenheit 911 was a valuable movie simply in the fact that it concentrated on current issues. Even so, they were partisan issues, and not really valuable to the understanding of the voters, because it only focused on one side of the issue (which I understand was Michael Moore's purpose, but it is still defamation without concern for the other party's virtue).
And why are the various influences in this election able to do this? Because they know that the American public in general will not call attention to the way in which they are addressed. So far, they haven't, so in that sense, all interested parties are correct in their assumption. Americans are no longer able to make valid decisions on any topic, instead relying on political rhetoric and propaganda to influence their ideas. Even worse, they no longer focus on what any candidates say, instead just voting along a party line. In having the right to vote protected in the Constitution, Americans were presupposed to have a responsibility in knowing exactly how they were using that right. Now it's being taken for granted by Americans, who squander it without even researching who they're voting for, or who don't even vote at all.
Americans are letting this happen. Until they realize that they are being addressed as if they are fools, they will never realize they are acting like them. So long as they act like fools, they will continue to be addressed as such.
User Reviews
Submitted by 10c7c (user info) at 2004-10-29 00:39:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
well written.... check this out:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/49621
Submitted by Quagmire (user info) at 2004-10-23 12:43:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Is this funny? Welcome to the world of Fetish.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2004-09-24 08:02:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Eat my ass.
Submitted by CornerNoob <tribesquirrel.at.yahoo.com> at 2004-09-24 02:02:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dispite "generalizations" you do argue a good point. Americans are stupid and their stupidity will get them killed, it's just a matter of time. (I believe this is what your saying.)
Perhaps the film Fahrenheit 911 has a single angle for you, because no one can think of an arguement that can seriouly discredit Fahrenheit 911. I have seen the media try and all the can do is attack Micheal Moore himself not the issues that he brings up in the film. Nobody has the balls to challenge the Bush family. Hail our new King.
Submitted by fudge_me (user info) at 2004-09-24 01:32:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
your government is the shittiest ever. the only thing its got going for it is that arny (coolest man in the world) is governor of california. but you won't have to worry about your shit head president or terrible history for too much i'd say - it's only a matter of time before it gets nuked.
Submitted by johnathonm (user info) at 2004-09-24 01:18:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
zzz....
Submitted by Judoka (user info) at 2004-09-23 23:30:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Im always suspicious of somebody claiming that can see through all the bullshit; right, left or center.
Submitted by Seralena (user info) at 2004-09-23 22:13:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Just to clear up, I'm not making generalizations from abroad... I live here. So it's what I see around me.
I know it's general... sorry... I only have so much insight a night.
Submitted by tinactin (user info) at 2004-09-23 22:09:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
This makes far too many generalizations for a positive rating.
Submitted by AlahAckbar (user info) at 2004-09-23 22:07:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
No Comment
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2004-09-23 22:03:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I agree with parts of your point but not every american is foolish. Some are very aware of what's going on but are powerless as you and I would be when their government makes bad decision.
Also keep in mind that for a country with so much power and responsability, any slight maneuver too far in a direction can deeply influenced it's image abroad.
I think there's a lot more to it than what you wrote or what I've just said.
0+ Worth Reading.
Submitted by Seralena (user info) at 2004-09-23 22:02:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
If people stopped being stupid, and stopped caring about "liberal mud-slinging" (good term, thank you), ratings for shows that use it would stop, sales for newspapers that focus on it would slow down... But the hell if I know how to fix mass stupidity in the first place...
Submitted by DonkeyOnTheEdge (user info) at 2004-09-23 21:51:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Note to author: Most Americans are fools. See "Liberal Mud Slinger" in Webster's
Submitted by Quartermain (user info) at 2004-09-23 21:48:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It's not enough to merely recognise a problem, you also have to have a way to fix it, or you're only half done.