Infected by the talking points puppets

As I watched Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Republican Representative Eric Cantor being interviewed on MSNBC last night I got the feeling that I was watching a really bad “B” horror movie, the type that comes on well after midnight when most people are asleep.

These two politicians’ robotic repetition of  inane and unconscionable talking points were such an affront to human intelligence that at one point, while he was interviewing Ms. Bachmann, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews was compelled to ask her “Are you hypnotized?” I suppose that he couldn’t ask her if she was high. Of course the video of that exchange has gone viral.

But that’s not the only thing that has gone viral. The Matthews/Bachmann spectacle is indicative of what the political discourse in this country has degenerated to.  Though last night’s results were by and large typical by mid-term election standards, it’s obvious that the contagion of regurgitated rhetoric was prevalent enough to instigate a power shift in Washington that will more than likely result in gridlock over the next two years.

So, in all likelihood the mangled mindset that is illustrated in the “Hi, I’m a Tea Partier” video will play a major role in paralyzing the government of the United States, negatively impacting millions of citizens. Need I say more?

Wow, did I actually just see that on a mainstream talk show???

It’s been my experience that rarely do you see radical analysis of the political landscape take place on mainstream news or talk shows. In this country we’re usually subjected to just enough constipated conversation, distorted debate, and contrived conflict to allow us to happily wallow in our ideological or indifferent or indecisive slop.

That’s why when I saw this segment of Morning Joe earlier today it was somewhat refreshing.  It was both delightful and depressing, as well as politically incorrect, commentary on just how ugly, dangerous, and destructive politics can be. For all of us.

Regardless of your politics, Dylan Ratigan’s “rant” raised questions that it wouldn’t hurt to have answers to:

What is the difference between Wahhabism and Islam? And if there is a distinction, why isn’t that distinction being made by the U.S. government and in the mainstream media, or by Muslim leadership, when those wars are being discussed or analyzed during public discourse?

Why is the U.S. at war against Iraq and Afghanistan, and not Saudi Arabia, where the majority of the 9/11 hijackers originated from, which was acknowledged by Saudi Arabia?

What exactly is the nature of the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi governments?

Whether you are Republican or Democrat or Independent, conservative, liberal or progressive, whether you are Red, White, Blue, Black, or Green, there are certain questions and answers that should be standard requirements for debate just as driver’s licenses are required for us to drive.

After all, it’s all about the common welfare of Americans and saving lives- especially those of the soldiers and civilians in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan- isn’t it?