Happy Friday everybody! I'm not happy, and that is why I am about to blow out, here and now. Lots of things have my knickers in a knot.
First off, the news. I quit reading the news some time back. It was so rewarding to not have to have this silly shit swirling around in my big ass head. And now for some dumb reason, I have begun reading the news again. None of it is good. I can't tell what is accurate but I still know a line of bullshit when you try to feed it to me.
Online I have been harping about the republicans. A friend asked me why and I will address this here. The why is easy. I bought into the republican party before I was 18. The whole idea of being fiscally responsible, being for freedom, being a 2nd Amendment supporter... this was the only real choice for me.
For years I stood by and voted the party line (Which is exactly what they want). (Both parties, by the way.) I was told that the republican party was all of the aforementioned and then some. I bought it. I was told that the democrats were coming after my freedom (which is still what they say today). They were coming after my guns. They were trampling my rights. "Free speech! They are coming after free speech!"
They ain't coming after free speech. What you have to understand about free speech is, you can say pretty much whatever you want to say, but there are going to be consequences. You are likely to get a few people pissed off with your free speech. I've done it and probably will again with this rant! You might get your ass whipped. Nothing I am saying here is "illegal". I won't go to jail for any of this, but there may very well be consequences. Anyone has the right to be offended by what I say. But then what? You're offended... so we aren't friends anymore? We can't have a conversation anymore? We can't agree to disagree?
I have a friend at work. He is way more progressive than I am. Years ago, he told me that I was wrong for not voting. He said, "You still have to vote." I pointed out to him how often either side looks you square in the eye, feeds you a line of bullshit and you either bite or don't bite. I said, "You are choosing between liars. You are choosing which cancer you want to kill you. I don't want cancer and I won't vote for a liar. Any liar. Lying is not okay, ever."
As our discussion developed, I made a few more points that he acknowledged, perhaps half heartedly. Just the other day, this man told me, "You were right." The very next thing he said was, "Its both sides. They can't help but lie. They are pandering for votes. Most of the shit they espouse is shit they could never get pushed through, and they are cunning enough to know that!"
I congratulated the man. He said, "Biden and his $15 dollar minimum wage... what a crock of shit that was. He said that on his first day in office, this was going to be the norm. On his first day, he walked away from that statement. Completely blew that shit off." And, he's right.
That was only one point we discussed, but the problem is far deeper. Whether you are a R or a D, you are being lied to on a regular basis. You accept or don't mention the bullshit on your side and immediately deflect to the other side. The problem with this is the level of disfunction has just grown. These jack wagons know they have you right where they want you. They have respective captive audiences, they know what you want to hear and as long as there are consumers that will lap this shit up, it will continue. Completely unaccounted for, by the way. None of this shit is good.
I remember a day when a lie was an immediate disqualifier. No matter the lie, you were going to be held accountable. And then somewhere along the lines, we idolized these dickheads in politics and quit holding them unchecked. it's actually worse. If they lie and they are on "your side" we now protect these fucking people! Why? How?
I remember when janky shit was noted as janky shit. Most everyone wanted no part in it, but it now appears if people have an investment in this. If it's "your guy", it's tolerable? I think you ought to hold "your side" more accountable. That's how I was brought up. Most of us were brought up that way. That is gone now. It just doesn't exist. I don't understand it.
I have had people tell me (like its a bad thing) "You are way more liberal than you used to be." Yeah, no shit. I've learned a lot of things in the last 56.85 years. I tried to quit being ignorant. I've read and listened to many other peoples side of the story. I've learned that so much of what we learned in school was only part of the story, minus what "they" don't want you to know.
I have a lot of people to whom I am thankful for being patient and then pointing out the obvious to me, but I won't name them here. They might not approve of my post.
I learned to be more considerate of other people's needs. I've learned that we are here, pretty much with the same needs and wants all the while elected officials just dangle that shit out in front of you to pander for their votes. If elected, they get paid... by us. They tell us when they get a raise. Martha Stewarts ass went to prison over "insider trading" and numerous politicians have been guilty of the same fucking thing and NOTHING HAPPENED! There is no accountability. These fucking people do what they want and convince their supporters that THEY are the only person who can do the job. And, we are fucking simple enough to go right along with it if at least most of the shit they say and do goes along with OUR way of thinking.
This whole fucking thing has gotten so far out of hand that entertainers, people who take money and do their dog and pony show for us have been given the space within corporate media time slots to voice their opinions. Some of these very same entertainers where once chastised for being 'draft dodgers" by people who now support them? If being a draft dodger was once that important to you, how do you give them a pass now? How did you once despise someone and now believe everything they say and do? People have given passes to too many people that have a little notoriety, just because they are famous.
I don't get it. How can this shit be real? What in the fuck happened? Can anybody help me with this? Have I lost my fucking mind? Is this shit not happening?
"If you don't vote, you can't complain." Horse shit. I've held people accountable for the things they say and do all of my life with voting set aside from that. I'm always going to do that. I was brought up believing a man's/woman's word was everything. You respect until you have reason to not respect and lying was a disqualifier. Not anymore. If it's a "good" lie, if it sounds almost believable, it's now an alternative fact. Where in the fuck did that come from? How is that even a thing?
It's still both sides and I am harping on the republicans because I used to believe in them. I bought their shit hook, line and sinker. Now, I am mad. I'm mad because I was that gullible. I thought, I was actually told that these people cared about me. They don't give a fuck. Actually, that's not true. They give a fuck until they have your vote, then they quit giving a fuck.
Do you think for one god damned second that any of these parasites know what it's like to live in your shoes? Do you think they understand your troubles? All they know is this. They know what riles you up and by being "riled" up, you feel apart of this thing. You feel invested and when your guy loses, it hurts and this produces more vitriol, more hatred and misguided anger towards US, THE PEOPLE.
I'm fucking sick with this.
Now, the media. How did this get so far out of whack? (Big money donations has a lot to do with it.) I believed the news back in the day. Now I see how much revenue the news generates. I see where that money comes from. The news is loyal to whomever is paying them the most.
I used to think we could do better or be better. I still do to some extent, but I think that comes down to the individuals. I think it comes down to US doing better. I think it comes down to US holding responsible parties feet to the fire and once they lie, we cut them off. It won't happen though. I think were too far gone. I think too many Americans love the likes of Hannity or whats her nuts on MSNBC. Factual information aside. I think Americans think they identify with us and we them. All of this shit is propaganda. You buy it or you don't. I fucking don't. And please, do NOT say anything around me that you don't want to later be held accountable for.
Cancel culture. Another crock of shit bestowed upon us by the sources. People seem to like cancel culture until it happens to "their guy". If its good for the goose, it's good for the gander. If you are going to feed giant ass lies of bullshit to the public, you should be canceled. If you have a certain level of celebrity and use your influence to cancel shit, you yourself should be prepared for the consequences. If in return your ass gets cancelled, you bought in to it and this is the public taking the trash out.
Fucking people are mad at beer, books, amusement parks, espouse freedom but want to fuck you right out of your rights? Kid Rock... this guy blows up beer, gets a platform to express his opinion on a biased "news" source and calls for cancellation. Then the dumb fuck comes out and says, "I didn't think this was going to affect the people that worked there?" Could you be any more fucking stupid? Fact of the matter is, dumb ass likes a cold Bud Light.
Then you have jerk off politician that hops on that band wagon. "I'll never have or serve that shit at my house'. Then he shows his poolside beer fridge stocked with products made by the same producer? You're still supporting the brand, dick head. Are you that dumb? (Better go vote for his lying ass!)
I am sad to say that I have lost friends over this. I'll probably lose more, and if these folks can't be genuine, have a good hard look at themselves and take a personal inventory, I am okay with "losing them".
My intent with this rant was to open some eyes. I know some smart people caught up in this bullshit, and if they can't fess up and eat a little crow, it was nice knowing you. I'm getting too old for this shit. I don't have time for people who say they are for honesty and integrity and then discount both when it comes to voting.
And as a disclosure, I will ad this. I've been told that I am too hard on people. If we've ever been close, you're fucking right I've been hard on you. You were trusted in my circle. I expected more from you. If you can't be honest, if you can't be kind, if you can't be humble, what are we even doing?
