Most Americans fit into one of the three categories above, all nice and tidy like, which I will ridicule each of you for soon enough. First, how do we galvanize this Occupy Movement into something meaningful and lasting, like the second season of Jersey Shore?

Entitled Occupiers (Group 1):

This group represents most liberals, at least to some degree, and represents approximately 30% of society.

As I’ve said before the “Occupy” movement is likely to become an entitlement fest—a group of misinformed liberal whiners, no different than their rioting Greek counterparts. If you simply bitch about a whole host of shit your country can no longer provide, you can count me out. Liberalism is unfortunately crystallizing in 2011, like an Arctic lugie. They’re trying to match the sickness of the right, for proof of this just turn on the Ed Show or Laurence O’Donnell over on MSNBC. Bring a vomit bag…I do. They’re just Hannitys and Limbaughs of the left, minus the ratings. Still, if there is to be lasting change, these occupiers have the potential to bring it, provided they avoid those darker corners of the Progressive Zone.

From a Spiral Dynamics perspective, the Tea Party movement was always mired in those fundamental and racist elements of our society, but this new movement will attract the anarchist/tribalistic elements—a problem at least one integralist, Ken Wilber, warned us about long ago. You see, I warn where the right revises.

This “Occupy” group, currently aligned with the New Age movement, would prefer to tear down society and start from scratch rather than “transcend and include” what came before it. In this way, Occupy Wall Street and al-Qaeda actually have similar goals, at least during the deconstruction phase. Thus Occupiers could be a threat to our very national security (aka, we certainly pissed off that Wal*Mart security dude the other day).

This massive shift in how we do business as a country is not going to go over horribly well (see: the Discord’s Occupy Wal*Mart movement). In fact, many will die (see: the Discord’s Occupy Wal*Mart movement).

Such change is likely to be catastrophic, like a Paterno-less Penn State. The New Age premise, in a nut shell, is this: we are overdue for a level of consciousness shift—a shift up and around this spiral—which may well correlate to a change in the center of gravity from liberal toward integral thought (in my language).

This shift in consciousness promises to solve most of our societal and global problems in one grand moment of recognition, as we all attain a hive-like awareness of our own underlying unity (loosely associated with the Ghetto Shaman’s own Barely Legal Kundalini Booze Cruise).

But is this just the rapture in another form?

There’s no shortage of religiosity in all directions. Take Iran, for instance…really, take it. I have no use for the place. They’re ramping up hostilities again because it’s time for their 12th Imam to help bring down the ‘Great Satan’…Oprah? And, on the other hand, New Agers don’t have to worry about wrecking systems because after the collapse it’s all going to be a New Age commune, as we hemp stand our way to happiness. Is this simply a variation of Bush’s Dumbdementalism? Fundamentalists—individuals who currently occupy places of power in this country as we speak—don’t think we need to even worry about planetary resources at all, because we’re fast approaching float-to-Jesus–time (FTJT).

I believe in the evolution of consciousness, so my sympathies are with the New Agers, but sorry kids, until this shift happens—or if—we need to work within the existing system. We need to make this work by improving, not dismantling our current economic structures. Profound changes need to happen, for sure, but we can’t just gut this thing like a fish without great harm to the masses, like season three of Jersey Shore.

The Sociopaths (Group 2):

Only an estimated 1%t of our society is diagnosed psychopathic, but sociopaths (their slightly healthier cousins)? Idanno, maybe another 3% of society? Just an educated guess.

Capitalism needs to be rebuilt on principles. The first order of business should be to identify and remove these psychopathic-sociopathic/Bernie Madoff-Gordon Gecko’s among us. That’s one witch hunt I approve of.

Our society’s sociopathic soul suckers—that sub species among us—can no longer be tolerated. They become our CEOs, our political leaders, and even our gurus. Sociopathic individuals have played a huge role in our collective demise. They represent Alan Greenspan’s ultimate miscalculation, besides Andrea Mitchell. He admitted he never thought so many high rollers would take such wild chances with the system and with our collective future. He underestimated the psychopaths and the sociopaths in positions of power (see: any Enron or Discord executive).

I believe this group represents the largest single issue for capitalism. They’re even more dangerous than the sheep over at Fox. Even my own field, behavioral healthcare, is threatened by the existence of that 1%, the conscienceless psychopath. Let’s call them the Cheneyiacs.

For the moment, the sociopaths are winning. Our system is a reflection of their greed and their thirst for power. They represent our darkest aspects, functioning primarily from the reptilian brain. Gordon Gecko, get it? I understand and sympathize with Occupiers’ premise the current system is irreparably broken. If our system were an individual, it would surely be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and sent to Guantanamo Bay with the “worst of the worst.” …Oprah?

Slaves to a “Free” Market (Group 3):

This group represents about 40% of our population. At least the psychopaths have the excuse they don’t have a conscience.

These are the Foxeteers, the Tea Planeters, those folks insisting on letting the “free” Madoffs reign. They blindly support the top tier ‘1%’ in hopes of the privilege of waxing their cars someday…well, I’ve wasted enough time on these jokers, but Slate Magazine recently asked: Michele Bachmann dragging the tea party down with her? And Mick Zano offers a resounding “DUH!” My own article on this very topic was posted on the Discord over a year ago. Let’s catch up, eh?

Supporting a system that rewards society’s sociopathic elements is one reason why the right is wrong about the “free” markets regulating themselves. I think our first clue should have been when the right kept defending our system. If continued Republican support isn’t capitalism’s death knell, I don’t know what is. You can fit what Republicans have been right about in the last decade in a fortune cookie. You could probably get away with a bigger font too…

We’ve talked about those filters through which we all try to judge and interpret current events. No one is very good anymore at looking at novel ways to address our problems. Ideology reigns supreme and our filters are now thicker than the La Brea tar pits (which is where, coincidentally, you will soon find modern conservatism settling in near some Mastodon).

But what if we had the capability to look at each problem anew?

—J. Krishnamurti

Forty percent of our population thinks it’s quite natural to agree with everything espoused as a Fox News talking point. Read a book fifty years from now about our downfall and that fact is sure to be a key point. If you ask a Foxeteer where they differ from Fox News ideologically, it’s glazed look time. Similarly, when you ask them what aspect of their ideology has helped America or has even remotely panned out in the last decade, umm, see the aforementioned glazed look.

Of course, over time, their position subtly shifts…toward mine. It’s a hindsight revision as they ride off toward another slew of false assumptions. The best example is how Ron Paul can be totally nuts in 2004 (when I even defended aspects of his shtick way back then) and then epitomize the conservative movement in 2011 in a seamless “we’ve been right all along” fashion. All this, despite their 180° shift in policy from empire to fiscal order. A year later a Foxeteer will even agree with many of my premises, but never what is happening right now. Why is this? Because the barrage of Fox News talking points are an extension of their brains and someone else’s agenda.

Here’s another prime example. Check out this link on Fox News creates climate confusion, but only among conservatives. There are only two groups who don’t believe in global warming, (1.) those in primitive jungle-like settings (minus cable) and (2.) U.S. conservatives. Of course this article is damning, but the Foxeteers will continue to protect their abusers like a Penn State football fan. Here’s an excerpt:

But it hasn’t been clear whether these incidents add up to a clear pattern and, perhaps more importantly, whether they actually caused the Fox viewership to become more confused about the state of climate science. Now, some academics have done an exhaustive evaluation of Fox broadcasts (along with those of CNN and NBC) and demonstrated that there is a systematic bias against presenting the scientific community’s conclusions on Fox. And, at least among those with a conservative bent, it works. These viewers are far less likely to understand the state of the science, or even accept the reality that our planet has gotten warmer.

—John Timmer

Spin meisters don’t need any validation or any truth anymore. They never need to be correct about anything, really. They have excuses for why things didn’t go down the way they predicted and then they blame George Soros. They’re a staggeringly misinformed bunch, yet there’s still an almost zen-like clarity to real America. They remain very sure of themselves, despite reality. The Fox News talking points have made their mark and have done their damage and, again. They are the story within the story of our time.

To summarize my position of the last few years: MSNBC needs to keep trying to be Fox Left and, as for the right, until you develop a meaningful conservative platform, which I truly hope happens, all of your causes will be lumped into one bucket of disinformation, disdain and disgust.

So how do we even deal with this faction anymore? Can they be nudged back toward reality? I think Hercules would take one look at that task and then choose to go wrestle a giant squid. It’s daunting. I always link back to former posts and say, See? Look what happened. But, to the Foxeteers, the past must be a meaningless blur, just like last weekend for me. Sorry about those drunken Facebook posts. It was the Cokie talking, really.

Meanwhile, the Foxeteer only sifts through the past to find those few tidbits that can be exploited—they seek validation in some inane effort to support their dying ideology. More importantly, Fox News is at the heart of why Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party will never be on the same page. They’re effectively stymieing any chance for sweeping reform by keeping a huge faction of our country defending the indefensible. No matter how much contrary proof will surface, on any given subject, this group will simply hang on tighter to this banal banner called Fox News.

The Answer:

The answer lies in an integral approach to this new Occupy movement.

The saying above was recently scrawled on a sidewalk in my town. For me, the graffiti heralded the birth of the Occupy Movement. It’s located south of the tracks, because south of the tracks is where this movement certainly spawned. There is a wonderful message at the heart of this revolution, but can it emerge amidst this land of misinformation? I have my doubts. Here’s the essence of what the movement should embrace:

As we of the 99% stand against the injustices of a dysfunctional and dying system, let us stand for profound change by embodying the respect, tolerance, patience, empathy, kindness, and other qualities we find so lacking in our supposed adversaries. Indeed, we have a precious opportunity to teach these qualities by example, by being the change we want to see in the world. Remember, the whole world is watching.

—Darrin Drda

Nice words, but the chips are stacked against these disenfranchised masses. Add to it their movement will attract anarchists and al-Qaeda and to behave may become a tall order. When considering the massive changes ahead, we need this to be our focus:

A system that fosters cooperation not competition, cyclicity not growth, abundance not scarcity; a system that is an extension of ecology, not an exception to it; a system corresponding to a new (and ancient) way of thinking, relating, and being on earth.

—Charles Eisenstein

The above quote represents a sentiment of the New Age movement I happen to agree with, but how can we switch to a system that’s monetary-less? This is what many New Agers are demanding and I don’t see how we can possibly get smoothly from here to there. Of course nothing in the near future is going to be smooth, regardless. I remember sometime during the Clinton Administration saying, “Wow, people just need to make their numbers for the week and no one even cares if it’s based on anything anymore.” That’s when people got shady; it’s when the dollar started to become a phantom; it’s when capitalism started to…umm, Rick Perry on us. Here’s a good bottom line quote:

No more profit from human suffering and ecological destruction, no more speculation on food and energy, no more sacrificing sound public policy to the growth imperative.

—Dave Oswald Mitchell

How many meaningful, ecologically sound businesses died because they weren’t growing like the fucking Borg? To put an end to sorrow, to hunger, to war, there must be a psychological revolution at the heart of it. There’s currently only a few of us around who understand this. You can wake up any time now. The best quote from the occupiers yet is this, “The true dreamers are the ones who believe things can go on as they have.” I’m talking to you, Sean Hannity.

This is one area many Occupiers and New Agers are at least dancing around the truth. We do need a new approach to politics, but I’m not ready to tear down the wall just yet. I’m still waiting for that third choice in politics—a third viable party within our existing system. The only way such a third choice will emerge is if enough people demand it. Our two party system will not yield to another party easily. Example, Fox News brought the Tea Party under their own tent thus delegitimizing them. Unfortunately, conservatives check with their programming before they even wipe their asses these days, so I’m not sure how many will remain relevant in 2011. The left will need to yield to a completely separate party if this movement is to have any meaning at all. This new party must be as devoid of any special interests as possible. It will need to rail against Wall Street greed as well those dysfunctional aspects of Government. If a third party cannot emerge, only then will this full revolt of yours be justified.

The heart of the problem remains this: too many of you are continuing to defend the indefensible.

Another faction finally emerges, Occupy Wall Street. A rocky start, fer sure, and I condemn their recent attack on the E*Trade baby. But how does one bridge the gap between the Tea Party and this new group? We need a revolution that resonates with more, not less people. Thus far one group seems to be railing against Wall Street and the disparity of wealth, while the other attacks taxation and a growing government. One demands entitlements and the other wants to put an end to them. What’s the answer?  The Transcosmetic Party, that’s what.

Will this revolution condemn both the banks and the government? Sean Hannity doesn’t like them, which is a good thing. Sure they’re directionless, but it’s better than going off half-cocked in the wrong direction. Of course the Tea Party is more organized—with 40% of the country armed with only Fox News talking points, you’re guaranteed consistency…consistently wrong. The real deal is going to start off a little sloppier, I’m afraid, but you can’t make an integral omelet without breaking a few legs.

Joe Biden said these two groups have a lot in common. He’s wrong, but someday perhaps they will. Thus far President Obama is being criticized for sympathizing with this faction. Meanwhile, Fox News sees it as a threat to their very foundation of greed, fear, and stupidity.

Before we discuss the new kid on the block, why did the first revolution fail? Well, this Discord cartoon sums it up nicely:

No Regulations, No Unions, No Taxes? …Excellent

That’s a real nice revolution you have there.  Now go home, lie down, and let someone with insight lead the disenfranchised masses. Hey, but maybe Mr. Burns can be your spokesperson? He funds your rallies already.

The Tea Planeters have clearly delegitimized themselves. But will this new group address all of our government’s flaws wherever they lie? Only an integral movement can work here…have I mentioned that?

I think if their platform is built correctly and they incorporate the few valid points the Tea Party has to offer, this could be the wave that propels us into the future. The Tea Party is useless.  Will they still negatively impact elections? Probably, but do they have any real relevance in 2011? Hell no. They had a premise not entirely without merit, but they chose to hand their microphones over to the criminally insane, not to mention the people who got us here. This, of course, coincided with Fox News championing their cause. Fox News is arguably the most damaging media group this country has ever seen, besides the Daily Discord, of course. 

Blogger Juan Cole found one Transcosmetic type at one of these rallies. He noted how not everyone there was anti-business.

“One woman had a sign saying that she liked business and she liked freedom and she wanted to find a way to combine the two,” said Cole.

Are we finally ready to do what needs done? Is this the birth of a faction beyond ideology? Are we sick and tired enough of both parties? Will a real viable third party emerge from this? I have my doubts. MSNBC will likely try to pull what Fox did with the Tea Party. And Obama can wink all he wants, but this bunch needs to watch special interests and challenge every talking point. Most of all, this group must learn from the Tea Party’s mistakes.

What does this group stand for? Who the hell knows? Adbusters started it and interviewing this disenfranchised generation is not netting much—except maybe that free weed the Crank was talking about…which, by the way, the legalization of pot needs to be a key platform item. Talk about helping our economy and our society with one long overdue statute. I love how supposedly fiscal conservatives throw gazillions of dollars at lost causes, like the George W. Bush Liberry. He’s never going to spell or even say that correctly, no matter how much you donate.

This new group can still embrace a smarter, more integral platform. But if it simply bellyaches about entitlements and jobs, and parallels some mob in Greece, it will merely add to the chaos of a country in its death throes. This new faction needs to embrace those few aspects of the Tea Party that make sense. Our deficits are unsustainable and many functions of our government are mired in dysfunctional bureaucracies. Entitlements need to be given only to those deserving; they should not be of the irresponsible/enabling variety championed by pluralists.

This revolution needs to be about responsibility, a group unwilling to be governed by special interests and an outright refusal to allow the continued corporate rape and destruction of our planet. America as we knew it is dead, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use this crisis to produce something of long lasting value, like internet porn. This could be the turning point, or the final chapter. It’s up to us. I have been patiently waiting for the real revolution. Is this it? Only time will tell. 

If handled properly, this group is more likely to bridge these seemingly different worlds. They could lure those few functional aspects of the Tea Party over to their cause and galvanize a new approach, one of no party or clique. They need to become a non-partisan, or even post-partisan group willing to think outside of the two camps currently mired neck-deep in idiotic ideology. 

The problem with media and its insane levels of spin is this: it’s so deeply entrenched in ideology it would take a proctologist a week to find it. The Discord has been attacking the media since its inception…um, the Discord’s not the media’s. They are a big part of our collective confusion and, worse than that, they’re profiting from of our downfall. And the result? We are now effectively two nations. Trying to convince a liberal to curb certain entitlements is next to impossible, and trying to convince a conservative that more of Bush’s policies are not the answer is even harder. Most of our collapse is history for us, yet we still can’t seem to agree on what’s happened and happening. Why is this? Eisenstein over at Reality Sandwich said it best:

Reasonable people can, depending on their vantage point and life situation, look at the same set of events and form different beliefs about them. These beliefs then become a filter that determines what they see and, indeed, what they look for. It is as if they enter separate but parallel realities.

—Charles Eisenstein

Way back when I wrote an entire post on the cognitive distortions inherent in the human condition and nothing epitomizes those separate realities more than switching between MSNBC and Fox News. No group is more detached from reality than the right, of course, thus the gist of many of my posts. But everyone is currently drifting away from the truth at light speed. The only difference: the left just broke the sound barrier, and the right invented warp drive.

I have asked the right, very nicely, to stop the whole upping-the-idiocy-ante thing, but they insist on a level of media bombing that makes the attack on Dresden look like a day at Jellystone Park. I would love to focus on the left, but did you see what Rick Perry just said yesterday? Holy shit! But let’s not forget how entitled the progressives are to entitlements; how prone they are to support senseless bureaucracies. Let’s face it, folks, both parties suck!

I feel like I at least still have a foot in both worlds. There’s about four of us left. Unfortunately, this is why this new revolution is a long shot.  Their leaders will be the key. These new spokespeeps need to act from a selfless, integral perspective if they hope to truly bring about a transformative society. They need to, above all else, promote an underlying responsibility that embraces a world centric approach. Again, not off to a great start. But look at it this way, if our technology continues to grow without some comparable growth of human consciousness, we’re doomed. From a spiral dynamics perspective, the movement needs to allow people to remain in any level of consciousness they happen to be operating. But this new society should be the best vehicle for anyone who desires to springboard to the next level. In such a culture fundamentalism will not be condemned (er…like I often do), but it will be kept in check as not to interfere with anyone else’s growth potential.

The Crank and I are not at polar opposite ends of the political spectrum as our posts might suggest. He just has a much thicker filter than most. It’s stunning, actually. Moving to a new phase of Americana, based on true, not false assumptions, is completely alien to a Foxeteer. Unfortunately, Foxeteers base their world from the perspective of their stock options and a romantic view of America long extinct. If Sean Hannity gets his way, we will allow this suicidal sociopathic society to barrel onward toward a hasty end. Some of his ilk even believe Jesus is literally coming again, so why worry about resources, and why worry about other cultures? They’re all going to hell anyway, right? Sure there will always be fundamentalism in our world; it’s an important part of spiral dynamics, but they don’t have to be our leaders! We don’t need people praying before they bomb the shit out someone in 2011.

Sure the right will criticize this faction and much of it will stick, but the right will dismiss an entire movement because someone takes a shit on a police car. It’s how they roll—and I never would have even done that if someone had thought to provide some god damn port-a-potties at this thing! And that’s how I roll without a roll.

In all-or-none thinking land, every Tea Partier is a model citizen, fighting for truth, justice, and the American way and everyone in this new movement is a liberal stoner. That’s the way they always approach the unknown, not with a healthy skepticism but with a disproportionate condemnation. The right is not going to understand the impetus behind this movement.

You see, the Tea Party will only remain a viable force when a Dem is in power.  But they will always reemerge, like a superhero with Alzheimer’s, to battle conditions created by their last candidate.  Very helpful.  This new groovy scene is somewhat liberal but it is actually forming when a liberal is in power.

If you remember, I watched the Tea Party form with a skeptical encouragement, but quickly moved to disdain and disgust as their leadership emerged. In other words, I can understand the Tea Party and then rightly marginalize it, but the Occupy Wall Street movement will remain incomprehensible to a Foxeteer. They will immediately marginalize it without understanding it.

For the record, this is when it all started.  At the same place where Al-Qaeda knocked down the Twin Towers.  Sure this revolution will change, morph, quiet down, resurge again, adapt, maybe even throw up on a senator, but it’s finally a group truly disgusted with everything.

Those unintended consequences you were talking about, Crank, might just surface, but not in the way you think. Sure it will backfire on the Dems, and it should, but this rag tag group could well morph into the real deal. As an aside to the last Crank post, I will stop making fun of those with mental disabilities when you stop electing them to public office! And no one is trying to edumacate you, Cranko, but at some point it’s going to become necessary for you to get out of the way.

We do not need great historians to tell us the fact that our society is crumbling; and there must be new architects, new builders, to create a new society. The structure must be built on a new foundation, on newly discovered facts and values.

—J. Krishnamurti

I like Chris Christie, at least comparatively.  Unlike his colleagues, this man often refuses to drink from the Cup of Stupid. But in order to win the nomination these days, one must resonate with the asses.  It’s always interesting to see which angle they attempt, bullshit or revisionist history. For this stump speech Christie managed a nice combination of both.  His speech was ultimately a scathing attack on his own party.

The intro was skipped and fell more under the category of ‘revisionist history’ with a slathering of Reagan worship, but Nancy was there so we’ll let that slide and start here:

We tend to still understand foreign policy as something designed by officials in the State Department and carried out by ambassadors and others overseas. And to some extent it is. But one of the most powerful forms of foreign policy is the example we set.

Revisionist History:  What example?  Was it when we invaded the wrong country or is it when we embraced torture? Obama’s example is about 100x better than his predecessor’s, which is still only meh.  I get it, you just haven’t seen a competent foreign policy strategy in so long you can’t identify one anymore.

I cut out some more Reagan glorifying (you’re welcome).

The image of the United States around the world is not what it was, it is not what it can be and it is not what it needs to be. This country pays a price whenever our economy fails to deliver rising living standards to our citizens–which is exactly what has been the case for years now.

Revisionist History:  Our image on the world stage died like a gopher under Bush’s Crawford Ranch.  It came back, albeit slightly, under Obama, which is nothing short of a miracle.  Have you seen the polls regarding our global credibility under Bush?  Yeah, I know, what does world opinion have to do with world opinion?  The facts always need to be Hannitized for your protection.

We pay a price when our political system cannot come together and agree on the difficult but necessary steps to rein in entitlement spending or reform our tax system. Here is what we did. We identified the problems. We proposed specific means to fix them. We educated the public on the dire consequences of inaction. And we compromised, on a bi-partisan basis, to get results. We took action.  How so you ask? Leadership and compromise.

Bullshit: On a national level, who is cock-blocking who?  Or is it whom?  Whom is cock whoing who?  Cock-a-whoodle who.  Sorry.  When have Republicans compromised on anything meaningful?  Haven’t you noticed your base, Mr. Christie?  Hint, they’re the ones running away from the guys with the nets.

Leadership and compromise is the only way you can balance two budgets with over $13 billion in deficits without raising taxes while protecting core services.

Bullshit:  Most of the deficit was created under Republicans, or certainly the policies that created the deficit are predominately Republican.  If you follow that link those numbers are a little kinder to Bush than the Congressional Budget Office’s, but you get the idea.  And Republicans are certainly not protecting those core services in my town.  Critical services are crippled in Arizona by Jan I-might-have-a-degree-in-radiology-somewhere Brewer and it’s now costing my community more as our emergency rooms and jails fill up (not to mention the loss of human lives).  This will also play out on the national stage when the Right resumes power—irresponsible cuts that cost us more elsewhere.  Yeah, I saw this coming too.

Then Christie brags about how well he’s doing in New Jersey.

Bullshit:  Having lived there myself, I can assure you no one does well in New Jersey!

In Washington, on the other hand, we have watched as we drift from conflict to conflict, with little or no resolution.

Bullshit: Actually Obama has had a ton of foreign policy successes, which is amazing given what he was handed. Remember, we were broke and heading for WWIII when he took the oath.  You just don’t hear that over on Fixed News. Domestically, he can’t overcome the Tea Planeters or the grim realities of our time.  Has he done well on the economic front?  Hell no.  Did he have a chance? Hell No!

We watch a president who once talked about the courage of his convictions, but still has yet to find the courage to lead. We watch a Congress at war with itself because they are unwilling to leave campaign style politics at the Capitol’s door. The result is a debt ceiling limitation debate that made our democracy appear as if we could no longer effectively govern ourselves.

Bullshit:  Two words, Tea Party.  Have you listened to Standard & Poors reason for the downgrade?  Do you follow the news?

And still we continue to wait and hope that our president will finally stop being a bystander in the Oval Office. We hope that he will shake off the paralysis that has made it impossible for him to take on the really big things that are obvious to all Americans and to a watching and anxious world community.

Yes, all hail the concept of an aristocracy.  Obama was elected, so let him lead.  Stand the hell aside.  If it doesn’t work by 2012, by all means elect yourself already.  That way we can plummet into the abyss and stop pretending this system is anything but a fucking farce.  Sorry, happy hour just ended in my town…as did our nation.  Besides, putting everything to a popular vote is no way to run a country. People tend to suck at governing—even worse than politicians.  For proof of this see any Fox News poll.   

Yes, we hope. Because each and every time the president lets a moment to act pass him by, his failure is our failure too. The failure to stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson Bowles Commission, a report the president asked for himself…the failure to act on the country’s crushing unemployment…the failure to act on ever expanding and rapidly eroding entitlement programs…the failure to discern pork barrel spending from real infrastructure investment.

Bullshit: I agree we should have backed Simpson Bowles, but that’s easy to say after the fact, especially when it enjoyed about one percent support from Republicans, or anyone else for that matter. 

But if Christie really supports S&B, that’s something.  It’s why he’s smarter than your average R (still not saying much).  I didn’t think the Foxeteers were allowed to even know about Simpson Bowles, because it actually might have worked.  Their plan is to keep us broken and keep saying ‘no’ until they’re back in power.  You see, it’s very patriotic to break the rule of law and the economy and then be obstructionists until our country implodes.  

And now for our National Anthem: Oh Ohhh say can you read…of course you can’t, we don’t fund education anymore.

More Reagan worship.  In fact, I’m having a ‘shoot my face off’ moment.

But, there is also a foreign policy price to pay. To begin with, we diminish our ability to influence the thinking and ultimately the behavior of others. There is no better way to persuade other societies around the world to become more democratic and more market-oriented than to show that our democracy and markets work better than any other system.

Revisionist History:  Fox News is still doing great in this area.  Herr Goebbles would be proud.

Blah, blah, blah.

A lot is being said in this election season about American exceptionalism. Implicit in such statements is that we are different and, yes, better, in the sense that our democracy, our economy and our people have delivered. But for American exceptionalism to truly deliver hope and a sterling example to the rest of the world, it must be demonstrated, not just asserted. If it is demonstrated, it will be seen and appreciated and ultimately emulated by others. They will then be more likely to follow our example and our lead.

Bullshit:  American exceptionalism is as dead as our dollar!  Get used to it.  Oh, and we’re 21^st in literacy rates and 29^th in infant mortality.  We’re dropping like a stone in about every major category and we have been for the last decade.  But, hey, we still have the best healthcare system in the world…well, for those three people who can still access it.

More Reagan worship (of the bile kicking back into the throat variety).

Unfortunately, through our own domestic political conduct of late, we have failed to live up to our own tradition of exceptionalism. Today, our role and ability to affect change has been diminished because of our own problems and our inability to effectively deal with them.

To understand this clearly, one need only look at comments from the recent meeting of the European finance ministers in Poland. Here is what the Finance Minister of Austria had to say:

“I found it peculiar that, even though the Americans have significantly worse fundamental data than the euro zone, that they tell us what we should do. I had expected that, when [Secretary Geithner] tells us how he sees the world, that he would listen to what we have to say.”

Truth??: I don’t know how to categorize this one.  How dare truth rear its ugly head in a Republican speech!  No argument here, but keep in mind our version of capitalism ended in November of 2008.  We’re just making shit up now.  It will be no different when your brand gets back into office.  Romney’s economic recovery plan is similar to Obama’s and a Tea Planeter in the Oval Office would only trigger the depression.  Nice choices, left to us by assholes. 

You see, without strong leadership at home—without our domestic house in order—we are taking ourselves out of the equation. Over and over, we are allowing the rest of the world to set the tone without American influence.

Revisionist History:  So then why, presumably, did you back the Republican policies that effectively ended our way of life? 

We would take an honest and tough approach to solving our long-term debt and deficit problem through reforming our entitlement programs and our tax code.

Bullshit: Agreed (partially).  Along with those two items, Reagan would have raised taxes, as he did during his presidency, and if you add some cuts to defense, you’ve just described Simpson Bowels, which I backed during its inception and Christie only mentioned after the bloody thing failed.

I’m bored and need to get back to Desperate Housewives, but here’s one more for the road:

Now, seven years later, President Obama prepares to divide our nation to achieve re-election. This is not a leadership style, this is a re-election strategy. Telling those who are scared and struggling that the only way their lives can get better is to diminish the success of others. Trying to cynically convince those who are suffering that the American economic pie is no longer a growing one that can provide more prosperity for all who work hard. Insisting that we must tax and take and demonize those who have already achieved the American Dream. That may turn out to be a good re-election strategy for President Obama, but is a demoralizing message for America. What happened to State Senator Obama? When did he decide to become one of the “dividers” he spoke of so eloquently in 2004? There is, of course, a different choice.

Revisionist History and a hearty Bullshit!:  Actually, Karl Rove made dividing our country a Bush re-election strategy in 2004, and he even admitted as much.  Since then Fox News has galvanized the misinformed across our country into one group of talking pointed heads, who all somehow morphed into Tea Planeters as some kind of reaction against themselves.  Don’t you read the Discord?

And Obama isn’t being cynical about our future, he’s telling the truth, while you, sir, are not.  Who’s demonizing the American Dream?  Business owner have simply bought into Fox’s poisonous propaganda.  You know what hurt businesses?  Destroying our economy, that’s what.  Review: the economic fault breakdown remains about 65% (R), 35% (D).

Obama’s proposing Clinton level tax rates.  We need to pay for the shit your team broke, Sparky, that’s called fiscal responsibility.  It doesn’t all have to come from Tiny Tim.  It’s a shared burden.  Although, we could pawn that crutch of his.  Hmm.  I guess it’s more of that American exceptionalism again.  Give me that crutch, kid!

More Reagan worship, American exceptionalism, and revisionist history.  Ta-da!

Granted this speech is going to resonate with people who don’t understand much, but Christie has a daunting problem.  Until that speech, he hasn’t really placated the misinformed masses within his own party.  He might appeal to independents in the general election, but only if he can get through the Republican nomination without dropping too many IQ points.  How does anyone walk that tightrope? [Fat joke omitted]

He spent most of this speech railing on Obama about the economy.  Of course, this same speech could have been given by Obama himself, just switching the argument to Republican obstructionism and Bush’s policies (hint: he would have a slight edge on the truth).  How do you pin it all on Obama?  How do you ignore how we actually got here?  The reason Reagan seems so wonderful is only comparatively.  He was a meh president and that’s what everyone thought on his way out the door.  Remember?  Republicans think the chronological order was Carter, Reagan, Obama.  They have blocked out more time periods than Gary Busey during an Amsterdam space cake weekend! 

Christie attacked Obama’s foreign policy too?  Don’t even go there. For one hundredth of Bush’s budget, Obama kicked al-Qaeda’s ass all over the desert.  I’m not talking about the wars he couldn’t change, but the tactics to continue the War on Terror more effectively.  He did it the way most suggested (like me back in 2003), via intelligence, police action, and predator drones.  Sorry, but nation building was a significant part of our demise.

Then Christie says Obama and the left are using fear tactics.  That’s like the Snow Miser complaining about a draft!  Fear and greed is all the Right understands anymore.  Remember, Republicans only ‘boo’ the truth anymore, so listen for it.  When they boo, it’s when someone is challenging their delusion. 

So what are the real legitimate complaints about the last three years?  Obama chose to postpone the depression, just like Bush tried with TARP.  Sure the double-dip is looming—in fact, you heard it here first.  Yours truly gave Obama about a 15% chance to correct the economy.  I made this prediction practically during his inauguration!  That 15% chance lived somewhere within the Deficit Commission suggestions and Simpson Bowles plan and both parties deserve scorn for ignoring them outright.  Christie is actually right about this, the one kernel of truth in this otherwise burnt political popcorn of a speech. 

American exceptionalism was a key focus, again…brought to you by the people who made that word laughable.  But shhhhh, they haven’t figured that part out yet.  American exceptionalism is a form of political romanticism of the worst order.  America will be rated on how it handles itself in the years to come.  Will it take a formal bow and go down gracefully, or will it be dragged off the world stage kicking and blubbering like a Tea Planeter?  The best days for America are ahead only if we stop electing greedy sociopathic assholes.  If given the choice in 2012 between Michele Bachmann and Mayan gods descending from the skies, I’ll take my chances with the Mayans.

Oh, and I’ll stop mentioning Bush when you all stop ignoring the devastating impact his presidency has had on our collective future.  This speech is further proof there is no such insight and Christie’s better than that.  Tell the truth!  You’re bat shit base will vote for you even if you do…well, after they boo. 

After watching the show Monday night, I have to admit to being wrong.  These candidates are really shaping up to be a prepared, well-informed group of individuals.  Oh, you mean the Republican candidates…I was talking about American Idol.  Sorry.  I only wish Trump and Palin were there to share in the Thorazine love.  Speaking of Thorazine, why isn’t Glenn Beck running?  I think if those three came on board, you’d have a nice representative slice of Americana…the criminally deranged slice.

8:15PM:  Started late because of the Daily Show monologue, damn.  Well, I have to get my real news somewhere.   I just got here and it’s already looking like Republicans have officially cornered the market on fear, paranoia, and stupidity.  At least they’re sticking with their strengths. 

8:30PM:  Good, Santorum is talking.  I can take a bio break.  The great thing about Rick is I won’t miss Dick.

8:40PM:  Oh boy, Romney is bordering on making sense on healthcare…no boos yet.  He better watch the whole ‘broaching reality’ thing with this bunch. 

8:45PM:  The jobs bill…hmmm, Obama had something to do with that, right?  So can I get a hardy round of F-NOs?  Of course I can. 

8:50PM:  Really, Perry?  The stimulus is a complete failure, one hundred percent? It created not a single job…ever?  I’ll tell you one thing it did do, it allowed you to coin the phrase “the Obama Depression” tonight, so be thankful for every penny of it, you uninformed putz. 

9:00PM: Bachmann just said she’s a voice in the wilderness…if only.  Someone keeps letting her back inside!  She finished her soliloquy by saying it’s not that hard to turn this economy around…sure it isn’t, if you’re a heartless wench, unburdened by even rudimentary math skills.

9:15PM:  Bachmann and Santorum just owned Perry by pigeonholing him as being in cahoots with Big Government.  Wow, this reminds of me when Mothra and Godzilla teamed up to take out Monster-X.  Just as many buildings seem to be burning in the background it seems…or is that principles?

9:25PM: Yeah, the coordinated attack on Romneycare has begun, right on schedule.  It looks like Mothra’s wings are on fire.  Oooooh nooooo, they’re booing?  Real Americans are booing the death of other real Americans without health insurance… Yep, the Foxeteers keep stooping to new lows; no easy trick when you already started out in the Marianas Trench. 

9:30PM:  Santorum’s back on.  Beer break.  Sorry. I lived in PA during some of this guy’s reign and I’ve heard enough of him to last several lifetimes.  What’s strange is he’s really stupid, yet not popular?  Thus he’s sort of a Tea Party anomaly. 

9:40PM:  Blah, blah, blah.  Yeah, I’m banging hub right now.  It’s calming me down.  I think I’ll also play the Kermit the Frog version of Hurt.   It helps…… to see if I still feel.

9:46PM:  Santorum’s back on and I don’t need anything yet.  Crap.  Good time to take out the recyclables.  Yep, he’s talking about American exceptionalism again, as if it still has any relevance in 2011.  These days America is special all right, but only in the same way that…nope, can’t go there.

9:50PM:  Wow…I’ll say one thing, these people aren’t nearly as jazzed about bombing and occupying Iran and Syria as they once were.  Hmmm.  Expensive toys don’t fly anymore, even cool ones with rockets—no doubt an unintended side effect of W.

I survived!  It was a close one, but I made it.  What struck was this:  boos were synonymous with the truth on any given topic.  When an inconvenient truth reared its ugly head, the mob reacted with disdain, aka, whenever their Fox sensibilities were challenged (aka, the programming).  Sure they applauded at some good things and some bad things, but those boos were the most telling.  Never has the neo-cocoon been more evident.  Hold on, neocons have actually morphed into isolationist, government-shrinking morons (IGSMs).  They’re the same people, just a little less insightful.  I will need to change the name of this delusional bubble of non-reality…you know, that magical place where most conservative types now reside.  How about the Tea Planet?

Just for the record, I’m fine with some government shrinkage, I just want it conducted by someone without brain shrinkage.

It seems like each candidate refuses to drink from the cup of stupid on at least one topic, minus Bachmann, of course, who is always two-fisting the stuff.  For the last round of debates it was McCain and torture.  Remember that?  He wasn’t going to play that game, for obvious reasons.  For Romney, it’s a reasonably compassionate view on healthcare.  So he’s doomed.  Even Perry got one right by saying the Great Wall of Texas would be a bad idea—followed by more booing, of course.  Regardless of your opinion on immigration a physical wall thousands of miles long is about the stupidest idea going for sure.

When Ron Paul mentioned, just like in 04’, how our own military occupations were cited by Al-Qaeda as a reason for 9/11, everyone booed.  They booed so loud he couldn’t even finish.

“Does not compute with American exceptionalism, warning, boo louder, warning, his words are hurting our ears.  Boooo!”

They wouldn’t even let him finish one of the few accurate statements of the evening.

One particularly incensed Tea Planeter interviewed after the debate told NPR, “We want to fight them there, so we don’t have to fight them over here.”

Wonder where she got that one?  OK, you win this round.  Why would Al-Qaeda have any insight into their own motivation?  Touché, Foxeteers.  Ron Paul is mentioning something called a fact…and facts no longer have any place in a Republican debate, unless they happen to jive with your less than stellar ideology.   Boooo yourselves!

In 04’ it was Giuliani who attacked Paul after this comment and this year it was Santorum, on cue.  Yep, actual history will never get in the way of their revisionist history.  None of them have learned anything with one notable exception, spending…there isn’t going to be any—even as it relates to potential military operations.  Thus Neocons have morphed into Tea Planeters.  This is progress…maybe.  But their candidates remain truly frightening.  It’s not a surprise such candidates exist, but the story is this: they’re popular.  I mean, they resonate with huge swaths of our society.  Why isn’t anyone talking about the implications of this?  To put it in perspective, if America was at the ASPCA we’d be put down by now. 

That’s my two cents, well, one cent…I can’t afford two right now; things are a little tight.  Time to listen to Kermit the Frog again and bang the last of my hub.  That’s an expression.  I think it’s drug related.