I’ve had this blog site reserved for quite some time now and have always had great intentions of writing some kind of commentary on my life and the world but have never found the stimulus to sit down and do it. I finally found something that moved me.
Michael Moore is an idiot, hypocrite, manipulator…ad nauseum; I don’t think I need to go on. But, after seeing the title and trailers for his latest film, I don’t think there is a word, phrase, blog or article that can articulately convey what a horse’s ass this man really is. I have no intention to try and correct that fact with this post, but at least I’ll make myself feel better.
The latest embarrassment to rational thought comes in the form of an attack on capitalism. Moore is quoted saying that capitalism is evil and, regulating it will not fix the problem, it needs to have a stake driven through the heart and effectively kill it. Now, I think that everyone with more than 2 synapes firing at any one time can realize the irony/hypocrisy in this statement. Here is a man, whose complete persona reeks of sloth caught calling the kettle black. His entire life’s work is funded and driven by capitalism. Does he honestly think that in a state controlled economy he would be allowed to make movies that drive so hard against the grain of American tradition? I actually doubt he is aware of what happened to dissenters in a Stalin/Castro regime.
Normally, I wouldn’t draw parallels to hard communism when disagreeing with the views of someone like Moore, but he really leaves no choice. If we are to drive a stake into the heart of capitalism, what alternative are we leaving?
He makes the point that capitalism continues to allow the rich to get richer while the poor get poorer. While this is true to a certain extent, the old adage that a rising tide lifts all boats remains an overwhelming theme of capitalism. The poor in this country still have a higher standard of living than the poor and most middle class in any state controlled economy in the world. While economic advantages make it easier for some to accumulate wealth, the freedom to choose what we do with our lives and overcome class barriers remains a possibility for all. Unfortunately, some have to struggle harder to get there, but many succeed and their stories of courage and resilience inspire those who come after. We believe in life liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness. Happiness, however defined by the individual, is not guaranteed.
Immediately following this charge to drive the stake into capitalism, he follows with the need for democracy now. At first glance it may appear that we are controlled by corporate America, that we are being fleeced by these giant organizations that steal our money. This is true, only because our government has decided to prop these entities up with our tax dollars, something that I am wholeheartedly against whether it was done by the previous or current administration. However, the “evil companies” provide many of the necessities of daily living and embody the essence of democracy in America. In the end, we always have the right to choose not to buy their products. Capitalism is the ultimate manifestation of democracy because, instead of having one state controlled product that we are forced to buy, we have a choice who to give our money to. Just imagine if the entire economy was like the DMV; there is no incentive to lower prices, increase efficiency or provide good customer service because, in reality, the customer has no other place to go to obtain the service.
Lastly, just by making the movie, Michael Moore has admitted to being a hypocrite, unless of course he abolishes ticket prices and allows people to see it for free. But, even then he and others could make money off advertising and merchandising, not to mention the PR exposure he gains. I can only come to one conclusion; Michael Moore is not stupid, he is a manipulator no different than those he vilifies in his movies. He knows this; I just wonder if the American public will figure it out. Maybe we are the cretins for buying into his charade.
