An insidious underground movement is taking firm hold in America, and the global ramifications are already dwarfing any impact from religious fundamentalist terrorism. The movement is headed by a Republican splinter group that has its roots in the political turmoil of the 1960's.
Coming out of the Republican Party, a movement of dissident conservative intellectuals took on the "liberal intelligentsia". However, wily Republican pollsters during the Regan era discovered they could win elections not just by attacking liberal intellectuals, but intellectuals in general, and finally intelligence itself. The masses it turns out were not particularly interested in issues or “high-faluted ideas”. Over the past few decades this vilification of intelligence has expanded to include erudition, sophistication, reading and basic math skills.
The movement took on a life of its own. The intensity behind this movement is fueled by a group known as Low Information Citizens, whose influence first burst on the national stage with the election of George W. Bush. Using social class as a wedge, they have created a division in the nation and changed politics in America, evidently preferring to choose their leaders based on the same criteria as picking someone for their bowling teams.
With inarticulate precision, Mr. Bush was able to mobilize this constituency by capitalizing on fear and their total lack of understanding, to drive the nation headlong into the past. Perhaps motivated by a desire for the simpler life of bygone days, he has achieved the social discontent of the 1960’s, the civil rights of 1950’s, international isolationism of the 1940’s, and the financial security of the 1930’s.
Flaunting his highly developed lack of intellectual curiosity and proudly leading from “the gut”, George W. Bush utilized his ability to trump facts with bull-headed determination, and with his coalition of Wingnuts was able to take a commodity very abundant in America – stupidity – and turn it into a weapon of mass destruction.
God help America, for Christ's sake!
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
