Talk talk

I've been away from my blog for a couple of weeks as I wait for the US Congress to do something important. Checking in with them today, I see they still haven't gotten our troops out of Iraq, still haven't taken meaningful action on global warming, still haven't done anything to ensure the safety and efficiency of our public infrastructure, still haven't passed any legislation on universal health care (though they are starting to schip around the edges).

But they did accomplish something that is, apparently, even more important: they passed a resolution chiding MoveOn.org for hurting the feelings of Gen. Petraeus. And in the spirit of bipartisanship, they're working on a similar resolution for something stupid Rush Limbaugh said.

What is it about talk radio and partisan activist groups that they deserve so much priority? I'll concede that I rarely listen to any of these mouthpieces. When I turn on the radio, I lean toward classic rock, country, or classical. I find Rush Limbaugh and Air America to be terribly boring, repeating the same things over and over and over again. I see no reason to respect their views any more than, say, those of my shy next-door neighbor. They have a bigger microphone but it doesn't make them any smarter.

The purpose of these organs of the partisan infrastructure, is apparently to keep the faithful motivated, by keeping them addicted to adrenaline and bile. I guess this is supposed to make them more likely to donate and volunteer. But I'm not so sure. My experience is, it makes them tired.

I received an email yesterday from a local conservative talk radio host, wanting to know if I could suggest a Democrat willing to be the bull in her bullring, to "debate" her on the issues she finds most compelling (such as, when are Democrats going to stop killing puppies). Sadly, I can think of people who would jump at the chance. But I won't encourage them. Not a single persuadable voter ever listens to such drivel; in fact, any open-minded voter with half a brain would run screaming from talk radio.

Comments

[Larry DeVries]

I believe and concur with about 90% of what you say here, and I am a traditional Republican. The values you articulate are consistent with mine. The problem is that when Democrats take office, the outcomes are ALWAYS the same.

They ALWAYS raise taxes on the most productive people.

They ALWAYS find ways to get in the way of business.

And they ALWAYS find a way to pay back labor unions.

Governor Ritter and the Democrats in the Colorado legislature have proven it again.

How do you square these consistent outcomes with your wonderful vision and values? Those positions apparently cannot be articulated, but they are as consistent as sunrise.

I wish there was an alternative to Republicans, and I keep listening to Democrats, and I almost always hear a mirror to my personal values. But when they get together in office, Democrats are consistent, and consistenly out of step with the values that I and most of the people I know hold dear.

Why can't you articulate that the values of the Democratic Party include the consistent outcomes of putting Democrats in office? Is it intentional deception to articulate views consistent with mine and then act differently?

Why can't there be a political force that does what you articulate as your values? Republicans don't reflect my values, but the outcomes of electing Republicans better reflect my values than the outcomes of electing Democrats.

[Paul Thompson]

Yeah, yeah yeah. And Republicans ALWAYS betray their values for their personal gain, or are proven hypocrites. Not a true statement, but just as true as yours.

It's easy to be cynical, and you have every right to be. You have a right to curl up into a ball, put your hands over your ears, and yell "nyah nyah nyah," or tune out on LSD, or anything else to avoid confronting the basic truth of politics, which is that all of us are human and politicians are accountable only if we force them to be.

Don't be an idle complainer. Don't ask why everyone else doesn't do what you want. Why don't YOU take some positive action to try to make the world work better?

[pdt]

That last comment, of course, is addressed to Larry, since I try not to talk to myself on blogs.