I was politically sensient during Watergate, a time when distrust of our Executive Branch of government was quite justified. If you weren't skeptical, then you were naive and Pollyanish.
But over the last couple of years, I've noticed that a healthy, selective skepticism zeitgeist has been largely replaced by one in which no institution is trusted, and everything- depending on whether you come from the right or left or in between- is crooked.
We're no longer a skeptical people. We are a cynical people. Skeptics doubt and ask questions. Cynics think what's the use?
Cynics often view the targets of their scorn as the "they." If you hear someone say "they" more often then "we," he or she is a cynic.
And you have to admit that this prevailing ill wind has led to societal crankiness like I have never seen.
You can see this crankiness online (as on the Internet) or online (as in the queue. You see this in the way people talk, drive, even the look on people's faces. With the exception of our families and our small circle of friends, everyone is suspect. All institutions are either crooked, incompetent, or are so competent they can get away with the most outrageous plots that would put John Grisham or Tom Clancy's imagination to shame.
What a sick fuckin', cranky society we are. A society that brings to mind this memorable Dylan lyric" "Though I know you're dissatisfied with your position and your place.. can't you understand it's not my problem?"
Societal crankiness as in the following examples drawn from the left, the right, and the apathetic:
Politicians- all crooked. All on the take to the highest bidder.
Dead Politicians- if they died in a plane crash, it wasn't an accident. Couldn't have been.
Media- cowed by the Republican right, chase celebrities to deflect attention from the underreported stories out there. Or, a bunch of humanist lefties out of touch with mainstream Americans.
Movies- Pabulum (left) or cussing-inflused plots to degrade our society by using sex and violence.
Elections- Rigged. Diebold did it.
Voting- What's the use? (see above)
Public Schools- Incompetent, either via underfunding (blame conservatives) or coddled teacher's unions (blame liberals).
Priests- Likely to be gay, or repressed.
Banks/UtilitiesCell Companies- Treat me like a number while nickel and diming me to death (and making huge contributions to politicians.
Pharmaceutical Companies- Very greedy.
The Mail- Never delivered on time. "I mailed a letter from Manhattan to Boston and it took five days..."
Stock Analysts- All on the take from the companies they cover.
My Contractor- Overcharges.
My Cellphone- Shitty coverage.
Our Neighbor- An asshole. Dog peed on my lawn.
Supermarkets- Check-out lines are too long (well, they are).....
Oil Companies- A profit-hungry cabal in bed with the Bush Administration (well, true).
Local Coffee Shop- Slacker baristas listening to clangy music (from the right), or exploiter of workers in impoverished third-world nations (from the left)
Service- Sucks, outsourced, or both.
Rock and Hip-Hop Stars- Ecstasy, meth, crack fiends with lots of bling bling and possies the size of small regiments.
Corporate Executives- Most are greedy and crooked. Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling's crime was that they got caught.
Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling- Yea they were found guilty but they will never spend a day in jail. Their lawyers will get them out.
Lawyers- Crooked or at least unethical.
Judges- Crooked, permissive, legislate from the bench, or a combination of all of the three.
Flying- A bus and/or flying day care center at 33,000 feet.
Realtors- Dishonest (unless they are your Realtor).
TV Anchorpeople- Blow-dried airheads.
Bloggers- Rumor-prone, full of themselves (who, me?)
Get off your cynical kick, America. Time to abandon that sickness and readjust back toward healthy skepticism. That'll make you better citizens, better people.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.