Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Politics and Hypocrisy: Inconsistent, International, and Subtle, So Get Used to It



I am unsure whether this rant falls into the Murphy's Law or Facts of Life Blog. A concerned neighbor highlighted the above YouTube video. In life, we experience hypocrisy in our families, friends, journalists, politicians, and ourselves. The trash compactor of politics searches for the most outspoken but least consistent hypocrites. I recall former Third Ward Alderman Dorothy Tillman as a bold example, but there are many others.

Society may crown the publicly virtuous and outspoken few. Nearly all of our laureates eventually lose their way in the fog causing the abuse of power and privilege. Most are unable or unwilling to wait for the fog to evaporate, so mistakes are made. Too few will admit to error. Some errors are not fatal to every politicians career; get used to it.

Lessons in life: (1) everyone will eventually become a hypocrite, but not as consistently as others; (2) those in power with privileges often hoard it and become gluttons, fearing other careers; (3) the haves and those who seek economic interdependence support the status quo and democratic options; (4) those who envy the power or productivity of others often criticize those in power until they too become powerful and are themselves, criticized; (5) exaggerations and irresponsible posturing within the body politique nauseate moderates.

The concern of these journalists is, why now? The answer: Congressional ‘posturing’ and ‘tolerance,’ pure and simple. Positioning for a ‘cause delayed’ turns off voters. The above CNN video is an example of Congress spending our money on political partisanship. This is a commercial for the Democratic Party that reasonably offends and serves an exceptionally devoted niche of partisan storm troopers and yes men. Republicans in need of credibility found an easily accessible soapbox at this hearing.

Nevertheless, the ‘alleged’ CNN Clip fails to get the political parties correct! We can talk of the virtues of politics; yet, it is the reality of politics that counts. Congress, Committee, or Politburo; man is an imperfect leader, but so is HAL! [Reference to movie “2001 – A Space Odyssey”]

On the “We” recently scribed in local Rogers Park Political Yahoo! Group Discourse?

We the people "try to form a ‘more perfect’ union." I believe 'perfection' is a pipedream for those with personal agenda's or OCD. One's opinion may prevail more, but in politics, compromise and tolerance is what should carpe diem [seize the day]. Sometimes, people neglect to appreciate peace and reasonable opportunities for prosperity until each evaporates.

Partisanship is not an issue like slavery. Yet, people should reasonably demonstrate and struggle for their cause. Fewer seem to rally for causes and seem more content writing, rather than interacting. Congress postures in an era of arm chair complacency, despair, and frustration; call it laziness. If someone wants to publicize their POV, then more tools are available than ever. However, most of us need to appreciate the most effective routes. We also must learn how to separate the wheat from the chaf and reality from the rasp.

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