On Politics as Religion

"Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of Jackals by Jackasses." - H.L. Mencken

This is hardly relevatory I'm guessing, but every time I watch these politicians get on stage this primary season and totally ignore any and all issues of substance, I'm frequently left with the sense that I'm watching religious ceremonies and theological debates. The facts are basically irrelevent (as with religion) as the debate centers on things like values rather than policy. The most obvious example of this is Barack Obama, who I like (how can you not) and gives very moving and passionate speeches about nothing in particular. Everytime I watch him speak I feel like I'm watching Joel Osteen or Tony Robbins (who basically preaches religious dogma) get up and give a moving sermon on the potential in all of us. His power is clear in the faces of his followers who see some sort of salvation in him. Another great example is John Edwards who gave whatever sob stories he could in EVERY FREAKING SPEECH before dropping out. Only instead of finding God (like most religious sob stories), his subjects just lead miserable lives and need to find salvation through the federal government's help.

I am struck even stronger with this feeling when i talk to my mother and I tell her how angry I am with the Republican party for their massive policy failures over the past 6 years. She listens to what I say, agrees, then argues against my point by painting democrats basically as instruments of the devil. They represent a terrible evil of collectivist thought that will bring everyone down in order to ensure the few people who are left behind are on equal footing. Essentially, attacking Republicans is embracing evil. Of course numerous democrats I've conversed with have the same opinion but reversed. These are highly emotional people making irrational arguments because their very religion is at stake, the political party to which they have allegence.

So what values do these people gain from political affliation? Generalization: Democrats value the idea that a healthy society involves care and compassion for those who are unfortunate, Republicans value a society where people are committed to tenets of honor and discipline. If you attack someone's political affliation you are basically attacking a value system on which they have made very important decisions in their life, you are essentially attacking a philosophy which they have returned to in order to guide themselves through tough decisions. AND THAT IS VERY PERSONAL. It's on par with attacking someone's religious beliefs in some sense, at least for the partisans out there.

Why else would everyone waste so much time and energy on something which they have such limited control over? People passionate about politics are so becuase of the moral superiority that comes with it, or the reaffirmation of the values they believe. Why else would political debate get so heated? Do you really care about Bill H.R. 234 that much? It will have limited impact on your life, what matters is the personal connection you have made to the supporters of said bill and the strength they in turn have given you.