Monday, October 25, 2010

You Just Don't Get It, Do You?

Read an article today that attempted to examine the political motivations behind the Tea Party movement. I'll honestly say that there's quite a bit of what the Tea Party pushes that appeals to me but for some reason, I just can't warm to the group.

Anyway, the quote that inspired this post is as follows: “I would not call it a racist ‘sector’ of politics. However, I would say that there are elements of the Tea Party that use their opposition to things such as the national debt as a shield to hide behind, when some of its members are clearly opposed to Obama as a Black man being elected as the 44th president of the United States. Some of their rallies have born this out with signs depicting Obama as a witch doctor, a Socialist, etc.” - Dewey Clayton, Ph.D.

I read this and my head almost exploded.

I really have to wonder how this guy managed to pass basic general education classes with this type of reasoning ability. The witch doctor thing I'm gonna ignore, 'cause that's a whole other can of worms. But calling Obama a socialist is now a clear indication of racism? Give me a break! Here's a reality check, neighbor: Socialism is a political ideology that isn't inherent to any "race". Being called a socialist has everything to do with one's actions and nothing to do with the melanin content of one's skin. Very simply put, it's what a person does, not what they look like, that makes a socialist a socialist.

I couldn't help but be reminded of the quiz show at the end of the movie Billy Madison: “Mr. Madison, what you've just said... is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”