Extra Point, #3
Everything you need to know about the state of politics in America was taught to us by Monty Python, 40 years ago.
I saw this video a few months ago, and it accurately encapsulates the state of political discourse in America today.
It is from 1987, so there are a few dated references. But seeing as that was almost forty years ago, I think it is pretty spot on:
In a post yesterday, Substacker K.R. Byers made a plea for people to move to the center. Check it out, here. Predictably, someone showed up to argue that their side had the moral high ground. Cue John Cleese.
Republican and Democratic leadership have done a tremendous job of brainwashing all of us into believing the other side is the cause of our problems. In doing so, they can maintain their grip on power.
And their grip on money…which is what they want in the first place.
In last week’s newsletter, I made reference to ‘Rome burning’ vis-à-vis America today. I also may have inferred that Snooki from Jersey Shore was responsible. That is neither here nor there 😉.
If you didn’t read that piece, you can do so here. (See what I did there?)
Someone much smarter than I will ever be agrees with me. Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. Listen to this short video below (it is on Instagram, and if you don’t have Instagram, you can still watch it):
The full, 30-minute interview can be found on YouTube, here, if you’re interested.
I would love to know what you think. Please be courageous enough to share your opinion.
Do you agree?
Do you disagree?
Why or why not?
What can we do to make the situation better?
(Leave your answer in the comments section at Substack.com or the Substack app.)
The phrase, "The truth is in the middle" has always troubled me, because it suggests an inability to take a stand. Yes, compromise is an important construct, but some things truly are bad, and some things truly are good. John Cleese is right about the need for enemies - that provides us with something to battle against - gives us energy, perhaps.
I am concerned about the false equivalence that this interview puts forth. The “whataboutism” of the media, in its effort to be balanced, is responsible for us going numb to things we should be outraged about. Democrats have flaws, but this both sides are to blame stuff is a cop out to the outrage we should be feeling now. The blatant corruption and ignoring of the constitution of this administration should mean that we should not be focusing equal effort to the problems of both sides. I think “bothsidesism” is a cop out. Sorry, I try to avoid politics on social media, but you did ask.