But we’ll have another serving of that delicious thought control, thank you very much! In the past decade or so, the political landscape, the media’s portrayal of it, and the irrational, polarized public sentiment aroused by the combination of the two have nearly driven me back to a position I held in my twenties, which is that the only rational response to politics is to become apolitical. I’m not quite there yet, so I’d like to share a few thoughts, and get your feedback if you have the time and interest. For the record, I have to confess that the recent ranting about whether or not President Obama’s speech next week should be viewed in the public schools was sort of a last straw for me; I dropped out of high school in the tenth grade in the seventies, a time when I feel safe in saying public education was in better shape than it is now. Education is a hot-button topic for me. And frankly, even Republicans like Colin Powell are concerned about the alarmingly high dropout rate in America. The idea that a local public school system would decide to censor a presidential speech directed at school kids – rather than viewing it and having intelligent classroom discourse about it – is mind boggling to me. In my view, it’s a perfect example of the negative impact of politically driven, media-fueled, irrational public sentiment. So, listed below are a few things I think are at the core of many of America’s problems right now. Please save me from my own political apathy; if I know there are others out there with similar thoughts, I might stay engaged and even pursue action. Otherwise, I’m likely to end up as one of the first proud citizens of the impending Idiocracy.

1.) We Need Sweeping Reform Of Lobbying & Election Guidelines & Laws
The two prevailing political parties in America are in reality very much aligned in principles, but polarized in rhetoric because of the fact that what ultimately wins major elections are two things: financing and market research. Campaigns are based on fine-tuned messaging based on things like dial groups, and financial support from a complicated array of corporate and political interests. Legislation typically is shaped almost entirely by well-funded lobby groups and almost zero actual democracy.

2.) News Organizations In America Need To Rediscover Journalistic Integrity
In spite of (or maybe because of?) the news media’s choice over the past decade to base content decisions on sales rather than any attempt at conveying “truth”, we are delivered a constant barrage of the most aberrant but sensational imagery, while major events that are politically uncomfortable at the time receive little or no attention. The major news outlets are doing a fine job of engineering their own demise, but maybe a little insistence on quality of information and rational feedback from the general public could help keep journalism alive? Okay. I’m suggesting the absurd here, I realize. A guy can dream though, can’t he?

3.) The Impossible Dream: Rational Behavior As Citizens
To me, this is the most important, but perhaps most irrational hope. Maybe we could all act like Americans instead of Republicans or Democrats again. Maybe more of us could pause for a moment and remember that if there’s an “us vs. them”, it’s the working class taxpayer vs. the affluent and entitled. Maybe we could rediscover the kind-natured, hardworking, compassionate, innovative, competitive spirit that makes us American citizens, and focus on bridging differences and getting to work on common goals to build a stronger nation?

Okay. I’m nuts. What do you think?