As a one-time self-described news junkie, I may have reduced my news consumption, but am still probably more of a newshound than most. I love my Google Reader, watch multiple networks (time permitting), and I subscribe to various broadcasts on iTunes. So, it’s hard for me not to be quite simply fascinated by what’s happening in American politics today.
From where I stand, the brands of the parties have been tarnished … by a lot of things, to be sure. But mostly, by the sheer venom they spew. Likewise, individual politicians are seeing their reputations altered by the way they assert themselves at press conferences, town hall meetings … or at presidential address to a joint sessions of Congress. Ahem. Those who aren’t getting sucked into this maelstrom of anger and bitterness simply aren’t trying hard enough. But it’s as if there’s no stopping it. We have to choose sides. If not today, then on Election Day.
I started thinking … In the consumer products world, brands compete all the time: Mac vs. PC, Coke vs. Pepsi, Tide vs. All, Dawn vs. Palmolive, Bud vs. Coors. These companies go head-to-head, and they’re not afraid to expose their competitors’ weaknesses in their advertising campaigns. They swing back at each other. And let’s not pretend some don’t play dirty. But at the end of the day, there appears at least on the surface to be a level of civility and a mutual understanding for the business goals at hand.
Sure, it’s hard to get as emotionally invested in cola or dish soap as in your healthcare access or your personal rights. But how has it happened that Left v. Right has become such a fight to the death? That the business objectives in Congress have become winning vs. serving? But mostly, I wonder … how long will we let our publicly elected representatives get away with selling just one product — anger?
Great topic! I’m a serious news hound but I’ve had to cut back in the past few weeks to keep my head from exploding. What I wonder is, is this just a “wag the dog” ploy? Instead of creating yet another war, they’ve just decided to get really loud and mean to distract us from the real issues at hand. But the question is, where did it begin? Did it start with the politicians, or are they reflecting the “anger” of their constituents? OR, was the anger of their constituents stirred/manufactured by the groups sending out the memos telling them how to make a scene at town halls? Did FOX actually report on the tea parties or did it have a hand in organizing them? One of their producers was caught on camera recently trying to get the crowd good and angry before airtime. Who’s really pulling the strings, and where does the hate really come from? Until we figure that out, and until we’re ready to hold all the haters responsible (not just the elected ones) the sale of anger will continue. Here’s one example of why I think it’s happening with politicians. Say you’re worried about losing your seat and you perceive that your constituents are angry at the President. If only you could find some big public way to stand up to him, maybe you could ensure your re-election…The old saying “sex sells” seems to now work where anger is concerned as well. It may be tasteless and disgusting to some, but someone is buying it.
I’m from the school that, sadly, there isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the parties in the grand scheme of things. (Hence your perception that there’s only one product.) They take our money, they spend our money. Sometimes you agree with what they spend it on, sometimes you don’t. At least when I buy a Coke or a Pepsi it doesn’t spontaneously change into a grape soda or a box of Twinkies or a bag of dog doo the moment I leave the store.
You’re right, Stephanie: Business *is* way more civil. I reckon that’s because business depends on “pull” whereas politics survives on “push.”