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The New American Majority
A serious epidemic has infected our country. No one really talks about it much although signs of this contagion have existed for many decades. Like a slow growing cancer, the symptoms have gotten progressively worse to the point where they are no longer avoidable; they cannot be denied. The problem we now face is that this cancer has metastasized to an extent where a cure, or even treatment, is very doubtful.
Our media, politicians and business elites have known about this disease for quite some time. They have not only stood by as the disease spread, but have encouraged - and profited - from its propagation. Like a seemingly caring doctor wanting to spare the patient needless pain, the prognosis offered is that all is fine and there's nothing to worry about.
What is this epidemic I am talking about? In one word... stupidity.
We, as a country, once had the great "silent majority." Then came the "moral majority." Today we have been transformed into a new majority... one I like to call the "moron majority."
Is there any doubt we've become a nation of morons? Just look around you the signs (symptoms) are as clear as could be. The late night infomercial claiming that drinking a chocolaty milk shake will make you lose 30 pounds in only two weeks... no exercise needed! The drug company claiming your itchy skin can be a thing of the past if you only take their pill... and, oh yes, the side effects can be vomiting, diarrhea, hearing loss, and, in rare instances, death! Yes, death! But not to worry... just ask your doctor if Itchamedaphine is right for you!
But there is no greater proof that we've become a nation of morons than simply looking at some of our political leaders. Yes there have always been plenty of buffoons, scoundrels and hucksters in our body politic but the extent to which our current crop of clowns is so revered is unprecedented. While it would have been unimaginable a few decades ago to have a Sarah Palin on a national ticket, the woman is today a hero to a majority of the electorate! As dimwitted as some of our politicians may be, one has to remember they were elected into office.. and in many cases re-elected!
The dumbing down of America has been a slow, gradual process. The first sign that it had reached critical mass became evident during the Bush v. Gore presidential election. A race that should have been an easy victory for Gore (Could you have picked a more intellectual lightweight than GWB?) became a defeat (well, sort of!)
The pivotal moment of that election was the first debate. As Bush answered questions in less than a clear and intelligible manner, the camera kept focusing on Gore and his facial expressions. Gore was caught rolling his eyes, shaking his head, frowning and sneering. He was deemed the clear loser of the debate not on the content of what he said but on his body language! Gore came off as the intellectual snob who only has condescension for the less gifted competitor. A veritable Mr. Goody two-shoes. Certainly not the type of guy you'd want to have a drink with! Now Georgie... there's a guy who can relate to the common folk! Gore tried to change his style in later debates but it was too late. The mold was set right then and there.
Only a nation of morons could elect a dim-witted, draft-dodging, hard drinking frat boy with his "gentlemen's C" average over a Harvard graduate (cum laude), Viet Nam War veteran and Vanderbilt Law School graduate. And while there are those who still think Bush stole the election thanks to his brother's help in Florida, with a big assist from the Supremes, it should never have gotten to that point. As GWB famously said, "Fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." Oh yeah, enough morons got fooled again by reelecting you Georgie.