And now for something completely different

After over three weeks of protests and public dissent in Wisconsin, I can no longer conceal my extreme aggravation and truculence regarding Governor Scott Walker's attempt to demonize the lower and middle class, as well as teachers and other public workers.  It has come to my attention that with help from the Republican-dominated Wisconsin Senate, the slightly modified Budget Repair Bill has passed through the Senate without the presence of any Democratic congressmen.  I was never pleased with the bill or Walker's attempts to hastily push it through, but this most recent act goes beyond my personal concerns about the bill itself or its effect on public workers' unions.  This reprehensible act is no less than a sick perversion of power with complete disregard to the American political process.  It goes beyond an attempt to fix Wisconsin's budget, goes beyond personal vendettas, goes beyond Wisconsin itself: this act is a sign of the desperate political climate in which America finds itself, and it terrifies me to no end.  For the first time in my life, a political travesty is bringing me to tears.

2008 was the first year I could vote in a presidential election and thus was the first time I had payed significant attention to the process.  I was both excited and astonished by what I saw and experienced.  After eight years of a president who gradually lost the grace of public opinion, America as a whole was ready and eager for a new president.  We yearned for charisma and strength, a person who would serve not only as our country's leader but as an American Hero to majestically save us from our steady downward slide.  Each citizen pinned their hopes on candidates with the strongest personality, the most eloquent speech, the greatest smile, the strongest handshake.  For months on end, people rallied and raved for their top pick.

At the beginning, it was exciting and intriguing, but by the end the scene seemed to change.  Sure, there was still passion and hope among supporters of all parties, but somehow, imperceptibly, the goal had changed.  By the time Obama and McCain were shoe-ins for the ultimate showdown it was no longer about electing the most competent potential president:  it was a competition between the Left and the Right, the Democrats and Republicans, the Liberals and Conservatives, to win.  And apparently it was stipulated in some unwritten code that whoever won got bragging rights and power over the opposing party for the next few years.

At least until the congressional and state elections.

What has transpired in Wisconsin since our gubernatorial election is precisely what happened in 2008 but with a vengeance.  If Walker's actions are any indication, we currently face a political climate which completely disregards the intent of a system designed with checks and balances to ensure the most fair and impartial representation of the People.  What we as a country have stumbled into is, quite frankly, one giant pissing contest.  Unfortunately, society is a hierarchy.  And gravity is strong.

Despite its introduction, this editorial is not about Walker, nor is it about Republicans or the State of Wisconsin.  It is about what we as Americans are doing to ourselves and each other in our zealous quest for dominion and pride.  Neither Republicans nor Democrats are immune to this, and both are guilty of underhanded moves and questionable tactics to win.  Win what?  I'm not sure anyone really knows anymore.

It seems to me that the American political party system was designed to ensure that the optimism of one party was always tempered by (but not overruled by) the realism of the other.  Traditionally, Democrats support and are supported by the lower and middle classes, and their agenda includes public programs and aid for those who might otherwise not have such options.  So the Democrats go to Congress saying "I want to do this!  I want to give all this money to the people who have less!  I want to educate and offer opportunities to people who otherwise have none!"  And, as I imagine it was intended, the Republicans say "Okay, but let's look at this realistically.  How can we do this in the most responsible manner in order to achieve both your goals and ours?"  Or the Republicans who go to Congress saying "I want to encourage business and entrepreneurship!  I want people to make lives for themselves and to be rewarded for doing so!"  The Democrats' job is then to listen and say "Great idea.  Now how do we make this work without subjugating others who are not businessmen and women?"

Now, wouldn't that be idyllic?

Instead what we have are two parties who refuse to listen to the other or even to the people they represent.  They take the power of their party and run with it, as far and as quickly as they can, before they are caught or overrun.  This is not politics.  This is sports.  Played with very unsportsmanlike conduct.

(Have you noticed that even in the Superbowl, players from opposing teams help each other off the ground and shake hands after the game?  Maybe our politicians should learn to do the same.)

In regards to Wisconsin, the sheer fact that Walker and the Republicans refused dialogue and open discourse with the Democrat representatives and the People is an example of precisely the kind of I-win-you-lose-neener-neener politics that has been displayed in this country for the last number of years.

I am sick of it in the most literal sense of the phrase.  I am, in all ways, repulsed by this dyspeptic show of political steroid-induced muscle.  And yet I fear it has only just begun.