No. 16: Politics should not be viewed as team sports
September 5th 2008 21:42
Windshield Unclear
I came up with this thought while watching the Tonight Show with Jay Leno during one of his "Jaywalking" segments. If you have not seen one of these, the television comedian, Jay Leno, goes out on the streets of Los Angeles asking questions of allegedly never-before-met people. The questions are simple and should be easily answered by most everyone. Questions like "In what state is the City of New York?," "in what city is the Eiffel Tower?," or "who is the current Vice President of the United States?" The responses might include New Jersey, Europe, Dan Quayle, respectively. What a hoot!
Although I suspect all interviews are edited for stupidity and obvious ignorance, this makes for great comedy. The audience can't help but laugh, but is usually shocked and amused by the ignorant answers given. Each time one of these is aired, the questions begged are: "Where have these people been for the last ten years -- in a cave?," or "are our schools that bad?"
When I peruse some of the Internet political blogs out there, and even some of the posts closer to home, I get the same uneasy feeling. Once again, the same questions arise within me, and a void is left. I wonder if these people have been reading or investigating before posting. Maybe they are just knee-jerk emotional outbursts. That is okay, but give me some sort of hint first.
Opinion is just that -- opinion. Yes, everyone is entitled to his or hers, but with that having been said, would we not all look better if we labeled our own opinions as just that.and then let those looking for confirmed facts move along? The phrase, "In my opinion" might work well. After all, I have yet to meet anyone who is ALWAYS capable of discerning the difference between fact and opinion in every situation.
Many bloggers appear to treat politics as some sort of team sport. Everywhere around the globe we all like to pick our favorite teams. It is fun!
It does not matter if you are backing a London cricket team, a Melbourne soccer team, American basketball or football team, or Japanese baseball team, we love our sports! We get really excited when rivalries erupt. This adds to our excitement, enthusiasm and affiliation.
The very fact we have political parties is going to set up the same psychological experiences. Rivalries in team sports and political parties elicit the same emotions.
It is obvious to many, there is a large number of people who do not make the distinction. They want to choose their favorite "players" (candidates) in the same way they would choose a NASCAR driver. They seem to be asking, "Labour, Tory, Republican, Democrat, Worker, Communist, Socialist -- what's the difference?" -- just choose a side!
They seem to think that once a choice is made, do all you can to brag, boast, cajole, manipulate and sell your friends, family and others to agree with the decision -- irrespective of reality. In addition, exploit every opportunity to denigrate, criticize, continue rumors and bear false witness against your opponents. Forget the facts, they slow you down, just go with the flow. To them it is such a fun game!.After all, it can be self-confirming, esteem enhancing, and above all, it feels great!
As long as so many treat politics in general, and political parties in particular, like it is just a game, we will never help societies become better. We will get what we deserve, complete with all the back-biting, rumor-mongering, lies, bloated budgets, bureaucratic intrusions, legal entanglements and frustrations that come with that turf. The facts will be hidden and a screen will be placed before us to cloud our vision.
Is this what you want for your town, city, state, province or country? If not, then let us all make certain we are not treating politics as a sport and that we are looking deeper into the facts. We will then begin ignoring the rumors, the unconfirmed criticism and facts, and the ugly graphic depictions. Our goals will have a much better chance for fulfillment if we do.
Keep it between the lines...
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