Fashionably Detached

cindymccain.jpgIs it me, or are there increasing numbers of people who claim to “not care” about politics or current events? I do understand that following politics takes a huge amount of tolerance (for lying, distortion of facts, bickering, pettiness — all unpleasant!) and time and that most people don’t have much to spare. “I can barely keep up with my Tweets! How can I find the time to read Huff Post?” Lack of bandwidth, as we used to say before that wasn’t cool any more. So satirical news, ala John Stewart, is all the rage. We want FUN news! Taking anything too seriously, or being passionate about just about anything is so unfashionable. (Except dissing Cindy McCain’s upturned collar which just SCREAMED wealthy ho-bag!)

Now don’t get me wrong. I am right up this alley myself since I want an antidote to my cynical tendencies. I’d rather be detached and laughing than disheartened.

But what does this do for our political landscape in general? It’s how Bush ended up with a second term. The only passion that spoke to people at the time was “support the troops, support Bush as the Commander in Chief.” Was this a manufactured situation to ensure Neocons would stay in power? You’d think so if you followed the shrill side of political reporting, but I’m just not sure I believe it. Would people really go to such lengths, starting a war they thought would be quick and easy just to get their boy reelected? You know what? It probably IS true. And somehow I cannot bring myself to care.

I’m supporting Obama. My own vote for “regime change” at home. But what the heck can we expect after we get past HOPE? My fashionably detached self says, “more of the same.” But my inner activist is ready to kick some congressional and supreme court butt! Where’s my constitutional amendment disbanding the electoral college? How can we break out of the strangling hell of the two-party system and move to coalition government? How can we become a true democracy with more state-level control and less federal strong arming? SEE? DOESN’T THAT SOUND RIDICULOUS?

Ah well, back to watching sitcoms… or this video which is way more fun!

Today Now!: How To Pretend You Give A Shit About The Election

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September 5, 2008 | Filed Under Election '08, Historical Context 

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