I recently did a little look around the internet tubes and saw that my initial rant "Let's face facts, shall we? America Sucks" is now the darling of pissed off right wingers, both far and wide! Excellent, I got their attention.
Not surprisingly, many of them were quite taken aback by my layman's use of hyperbole, metaphors and reverse psychology. Much so, in fact, that they didn't understand the purpose behind it at all. From the title to the final words, it was meant to be a provocative piece and I have to say... I achieved my objective. Just Google the title and you'll see what I mean. However, to say that I was not surprised by the completely unsophisticated and reactionary response... But, what else would one expect from a bunch of people who actually think that George W. Bush is doing a great job as president? Not much else, right?
For example, I had made a hyperbolic reference to the so-called "Twenty million citizens from the great state of Wisconsin". Many of the right wing types, quite astutely, pointed out that Wisconsin actually contains a substantially lower number of residents. I'm quite happy to stipulate this. But, I should point out that the actual number to residents in the aforementioned state a very dynamic one and is impossible to know, when taking into account any given amount of live births, deaths and transits across the state's open borders. So, for the sake of those who have shown a tendency towards counting the deck chairs on a sinking Titanic in any given situation, I ask that they substitute this following formula for that offending passage:
X = The Actual Number of Residents in the Great State of Wisconsin at any given time
I hope that clears up that particular dilemma.
Unfortunately, not everyone here on DU, got my point either. A lot of discussion ensued, some feelings might have gotten bruised and generally a lot of hot blood coursed through more than a few veins. Others, however, understood exactly my motives and replied indicating that. Such is always the nature of this forum.
Again, I thank everyone, regardless of their stated position, for their active participation.
The purpose behind this particular post is to define the participant's own personal status in relationship to the theme of this series. It's was made very clear to me that many respondents took offense to my assertion regarding their own level of suckitude and the overall level of suckiness throughout this great republic of ours. Please allow me again to explain my approach towards my assertions. I'll try to make this as simple as I can.
Think of the drive towards suckification in America as like a switch. On one side, you have "Complete Unsuckification" and to its complete polar opposite, you have "Total Suckification" . Somewhere in between you have a slew of competing interests that are constantly driving the level of suckiture either up on down in any given time. For example, The Dred Scott Decision drives up that level and the subsequent passages of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution drives it down. With the rise of sweatshop culture, it went up and with the laws that mandated better working conditions it went down. There are many examples that can be cited, I hope that you get my point.
Although I didn't elaborate this, my approach needs to seen in terms similar to Newton's laws of Motion. The First law says:
Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.
The more the forces of suckiness apply their pressure in the absence of countermining forces, the level rises. Sitting fat, dumb and happy while the Real ID Act goes flying through the halls of power is a perfect demonstration of this approach.
Newton's Second Law says:
The relationship between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force F is F = ma . Acceleration and force are vectors (as indicated by their symbols being displayed in bold font); in this law the direction of the force vector is the same as the direction of the acceleration vector.
An example of this law's application would be successful mass action and civil disobedience by a greater number of pissed off citizens against the level of suckfication (The Object) against opposing forces.
The Third Law says:
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Basically, its a natural state for the forces for and against Suckosity to constantly oppose each other.
Clear as mud, right? Thought so!
Now the questionnaire. I hope that you'll indulge me with this. I have ten questions that will determine one's personal level of suckitude AND, when taken in view of the representative group, determines its aggregate amount. I have a poll for that as well. By revealing your results, you can definitively defend your own assertions, one way or the other. I hope to goodness that our lurking Right Wing types indulge in it as well.
Here we go:
1. Which is the best way to obtain great wealth?
a. By paying one's employees fair wages, investing in positive growth and striving for a positive impact on the environment
b. By paying the lowest possible wages, buying up businesses to wreck and sell them off, and polluting the environment to save a buck
2. How should one react to a protest march for fair wages and benefits?
a. By joining it.
b. By standing on the side protesting against it with waving flags and signs full of very harsh language.
3. How should one view cultural diversity?
a. By accepting it as a fact.
b. By finding as many ways possible to reject it.
4. Which is the best way to hold one's leaders accountable?
a. By demanding that they not only adhere to the rule of law, but its spirit as well.
b. By deferring to their exalted position, especially if their political and cultural views mirror your own.
5. Which is the best approach towards other sovereign nations?
a. By respecting their sovereignty in accordance with the rules of International Law.
b. By impelling them to bend to the will of US policies, regardless of the rules of International law, by all covert and overt means.
6. Which is the best way to educate young people?
a. By affording them every tool to be active, free thinking and productive citizens.
b. By instilling in them the need to be obedient and accepting of the status quo in any given situation.
7. Which is a better way to reach a stated goal?
a. Through cooperation, reciprocation and mutual respect.
b. By doing whatever the most powerful person says should be done.
8. What is "Fair and Balanced"?
a. A mask for propaganda.
b. The truth, as long as it agrees with one's own views.
9. What is more important to achieve?
a. A wealthy society.
b. As many wealthy individuals as possible.
10. Which is the best way to protect the blessings of liberty?
a. Through insistence that it is shared with all.
b. Through insistence that it is shared with only the most worthy.
All "a." answers denote Unsuckitude and all "b." answers denote Suckification. Tally them up to determine your own degree of Suckosity and let us know with the poll!
Enjoy!
For the three previous posts, here they are:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2760573&mesg_id=2760573http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2765604http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2770209
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