Posted by
Mac on Sunday, July 16, 2006 8:54:47 AM
Take this test!
Do you automatically take the side of your party, regardless of the evidence? Do you then choose to ignore that evidence because it doesn't support your sheep-like argument?
Do you take every opportunity to spin good news to bad, or bad news to good, to match your political ideology?
Is the only time you criticize your party when they aren't going far enough in your political direction? Do you then claim to be "open minded" and an "independent thinker" because you criticized them?
Do you lack the fundamental self-esteem required to honestly question your own beliefs, and that of your other partisan sheep friends?
Do you point the finger at sheep on the "other side" when they do precisely the same partisan sheep things that people on "your side" do?
Do you question the intelligence of anyone who disagrees with you ("you're dumb because you disagree with me"), not unlike an eight year old?
Do you automatially try to discredit someone who says something in opposition, trying desperately to deflect their point and change the subject?
Do you attack members of your party when they don't march in lockstep with other sheep?
Do you categorically deny doing the above, even though you know you do it?
If so, yes, you're a partisan sheep, and you have zero credibility.
As I watch the TV pundits, hear the radio talk show hosts and their guests, read the web sites, and visit the political chat rooms, I wonder -- are you people expecting to be taken seriously? Do you not see how transparent it is when you stoop to spinning and partisan game-playing?
Contemporary American politics is nothing more than All Star Wrestling without the feather boas. But this is no TV show, this is reality. And people who engage in partisan sheepism are hurting us. Partisan sheepism is wasteful and counter-productive. Ideology has replaced reason, and it has put us in grave danger.
To partisan sheep everywhere, I'm begging you. Please stop being paralyzed by your partisanship. Open your mind. Stop being afraid to give an inch. You could at least begin by admitting that the "other side" has reasonable arguments, that you can understand why they feel the way they do.
The future of our country is at stake. I assume you care.