I think the "dumbing" down of America is complete.
The question is whether we will ever be able to return to a place in this nation where critical thought rules our decisions and opinions, rather than rumor, conjecture, or speculation?
I am not sure if this will ever happen, but it kills me to hear so many people who are thought to be otherwise intelligent, be so woefully out of touch with America, the party they pledge allegiance too, and the political system that protects, defames, defends, demoralizes , enables, disables, and spies for and against them.
Yes, our Constitutional system is the best, and even at it's best it's not perfect...But it would be closer to perfect if those that participated in it actually understood it, and used their brains to question both the system and those who are actively involved in it.
Instead we have devolved into an impatient nation, wedded to the crawl. A nation of citizens to lazy to read a newspaper. A nation of drones glued to a TV and enthralled by a personality and the "news" they share. We are a judgmental nation without hard information that reacts in reality like the shows were are so driven to watch. Our reality is sad. Our reality, just like the reality shown daily, is born of rumors, feed by suspicion, and manipulated by frothed up fears. Our reality is a false sense of knowledge based on information we are willingly fed by an Info-taner, a lying politician, and or a loud coworker in the break room.
We are a nation that is message rich, and information poor.
Our beliefs are marketed to us. We buy-in to lies for the same emotional reasons we buy and eat boxes of Twinkies. We are manipulated. We know it's true. Yet we are too lazy to take the time to challenge what we are told. We are too jaded to trust anyone, yet we listen to our poison of choice, and take the hosts opinion for fact. Some are better than others. Some are no worse than others. All are still driven by one machine, a machine where opinion is more palatable, and more profitable than mere fact. Facts are dull. So instead of coming to our own opinions, the majority are more comfortable becoming mini-talking heads. Disciples of the tube. Going forth into America to convert the faithless to the brand.
We live in a nation where labels are more important than substance; more important than our own humanity. We have been taught, programmed if you will, to distrust any under the opposing label. The liberals hate the conservatives. The Republicans hate the Democrats. The South hates the North. Whites hate the "color of the decade." Unity is our mantra, but division is our religion.
What we have forgotten, or perhaps were never all taught, is that the label American trumps all those. Our nation is great because of the conflicts of "us vs. them" but those lessons which brought unity have been perverted. Instead, we are born divided, and then manipulated by the vocal minority and those in power to stay that way. Division and fear lead to power for those pushing a loathsome agenda.
But the only reason it works is because we as a nation are either too lazy, or too stupid to keep it from happening. How hard is it to form an opinion? How difficult to pay attention? Why is it that so many are content to simply regurgitate what they heard, instead of questioning what they were told, and then speaking on what they think? Sure it's work to try to navigate and disseminate the information that is everywhere around us, but isn't that part of our duty as Americans?
If someone were taking pot-shots at your family, and you have to make the best decision to protect your children, wouldn't you take the time to gather every bit of information you could to make an "informed decision?" Of course you would.
Well, I have news for you Mr or Ms Joe American...Those are exactly the stakes!
You owe it to yourself, to your families, and to this land that we all love to defend her with your brain, and not simply your wrath, contempt, or manufactured opinions.
Rational thought...Is it dead? It may not be yet, but it seems to be on life support here in Central Pennsylvania. I can't imagine this part of the nation is unique on that score. Just last night I was presented with a person I respect, and who I think is smart, that says "Bill Clinton spent his Presidency creating a launching point for Hillary." I was mystified by this statement, and could only muster a "Really???" This person said "I will move to France if she becomes President."
My first thought was "WOW." The next one was bitchier. Why would you go to France as a Conservative Republican?
This discussion was uncomfortable, and went on and on. The inconsistencies in the arguments were deafening to me, but I chose to leave well enough alone as soon as I heard "Hannity says..." I knew the opinions being thrown out to me were a mish-mash of sound bites designed to bully me into thinking this person knew of what they spoke. Alas, this American does pay attention...To both sides of the isle, and I know the wrath of a label being defended when I see it.
I vote my social conscience, and I vote my financial beliefs. But I claim no sincere allegiance to a party or a "label." I pledge allegiance to the US Constitution, and the America that stands because of that documents wisdom. I shift from Democrat, to Republican, to Independent...Like a red, white, and blue leaf on the wind. Unlike a party, my beliefs are consistent, while they are fluid. The parties, the labels, and those that wield them morph with every election cycle. They are fluid, and never static in definition, ideal, or purpose. That is why critical thought is so very important in this nation.
They greatest failing of any voting American is to assume that the GOP of 10 years ago is the same party, with the same agenda as it is today, or 40 years ago, for that matter. Times change, and with the times, so do the power players. Economic visions change. Policies change. The culture of the nation wavers from loose to tight and back again like a see-saw. Everything is politically in motion, so we as Americans must pay attention and decide what is real, what is manufactured, and what is patently false.
To trust any party, politician, or organization is mistake number one. And it's the biggest mistake you can make. Power corrupts; it always has and it always will. Only with individual critical thought can power be kept in check. And that is why were are scared into parties, rallied into corrals of control for the sake of power. There is power in numbers, so our leaders keep us in well defined cells. Manipulated into beliefs, and given our talking points just as though they are marching orders. We are kept on a short leash, and never encouraged to think or question.
Critical thought and questions of authority are are dangerous to power. No matter the agenda, those that question it are seen as a threat to the mission. This is true on liberal issues, conservative issues, those of faith, and any number of other topics. There is a reason that the "intellectuals" and the artists are always the first ones rounded up when a nation is trying to seamlessly consolidate power. They are seen as the greatest threat.
So...For Americans to surmise that we have become a nation of sheep, is not such a far leap from the truth. Its the condition that those in power favor. They only want our allegiance, not our opinion. As theirs is the only opinion that matters.
So we sit before our TV's and the various crawls, victims of our own reality show. Blind to the truth because that is what is wanted for us. Our ignorance is what is paid for with taxes, commercials, and the blood of our fighting men & women. We are victim to our own ignorance, and that is how those in charge would prefer it stayed.
Message is everything. Rational thought is dangerous. So keep them afraid to think, and we win.
Question everything, your status as an American depends on it.