Brooklyn Mutt

When Bill Maher announced a few weeks back that he believed America to be a “stupid” country, America’s conservative pundits salivated over that remark, as they were able galvanize their super intellectual base and ask “Why is the far left saying America’s a dumb country?”

Ok, maybe they have a point. The left-wing has been riding the “America is dumb” thing for quite some time… I mean come on, we voted for Bush… TWICE, but haven’t we moved on? We elected Obama, and we got wiser and smarter… right? Plus this whole America is “dumb” thing is so passé. That whole mentality should be thrown in the attic. It’s as dead as disco and Michael Jackson… We have so moved on… Not really…

The fact that Obama was elected has changed very little… don’t get me wrong, we may now have a President that’s smarter, but when he was running for office, he said that in order for America to succeed, “WE” would have to be smarter. He wasn’t just talking about himself, he was challenging us to think harder about the decisions we were making in or lives. And sadly, the recent actions by the American people and local Governments all but assure that not only are we “dumb and stupid”, but the recent decisions we have made will continue to make us “dumb and stupid”… Here are a couple points…

Healthcare Debate
I’ll be generous and not factor in the “special people” who were so nice to attend recent town hall meetings. But what I will do is mention a recent NY Times article referring to recent polls;

“Majorities of respondents said that they were confused about the health care argument and that Mr. Obama had not done a good job in explaining what he was trying to accomplish.”

This is completely indicative on how DUMB we still are. Here is a plan that was meticulously explained to the American people. Now some say that Obama’s plan was “too complicated”. Too that I say GOOD… it’s supposed to be. The healthcare issue in America like many others is VASTLY complicated and simple solutions are no longer the answer. It’s tied into many other factors within our economy … its ok if you didn’t understand it or even better, you didn’t agree with it… but to not know what he was “trying to accomplish”. Are you f*cking kidding me?  That statement says right there that we as a nation are unable to comprehend issues that can’t be explained in five words or less… and that’s where the conservatives win… because they yell “Socialism”, (one word!) and the discussion is over.

Stay Classy Philadelphia
The economy does demand that local Governments reduce some of the services to the communities, I think we can all agree that sacrifice is needed in order to achieve our fiscal goals… but the fine folks at the city of brotherly love decided to close ALL LIBRARIES in the city. This is the 6^th largest library system in the country, the first in existence founded by the man, the myth, the legend, “Big” Ben Franklin himself. This is an institution for god sakes! Of all the dumb things for a city to do… (Besides signing cat lover Michael Vick to a multi-million dollar deal)

“Come October 2nd, all 53 library buildings throughout the city will close. Books and DVD’s will no longer be available for loan.  Free internet access will cease.  The community programs and meetings held in the libraries will have to find another venue, and the GED and English as Second Language educational programs will end.”

Now I know what some are you thinking? “Who the hell goes to libraries?”… well if you asked that question, then you are someone who does have easy access to internet, and have the means to pay your bills in order for it to keep running, thus likely to have some sort of job. But for millions who are out of work, who can’t afford what we now consider necessities of modern living, the local library is a valuable resource for poor children to go and study, and learn. Many have been flocking to the libraries seeking information on acquiring gainful employment. The local library was a big part of helping America get out of past depression/recessions, and can be again. Even the Wall Street Journal agrees that;

“Librarians are turning into job counselors — and even social workers — as they have to deal with a sometimes-desperate new class of patrons.”

So why in the hell does the city want to shut them ALL down? This is a dangerously short sighted decision. The importance of the public library is well established, and time honored. Compared to the cost of other city projects/divisions… the cost is at best prohibitive.

Ok, these were just two examples on how Bill Maher’s statement that we are a “dumb” nation holds water. We can elect any leader we want to the pulpit; we can laugh at the outright hilarity of Glenn Beck and think better of ourselves. But if this nation thinks that NOT thinking our way out of our problems is acceptable, or allowing a generation of children not to have access to what is now considered the essential tools of education, this sh*t storm will not end any time soon. Even if things get better, we are leaving ourselves open for something far worse.

With that said, I just realized that I borrowed “Plato’s The Republic” from my local library in 1980, and never returned it… I hope the library detective doesn’t come after me!

Until next time…

by Brooklynmutt contributor Niko