Enough With the Jokes

Try typing “George Bush jokes” into Google. Go on, I dare you. One website boasts 101 “Bushisms,” which I am informed has a “hand-picked, frequently updated collection of the best Bush verbal gaffes and blunders.” This is just one of the many ways society offers cheap laughs at the expense of men and women who dedicate their life to finding a solution to America’s problems. Many people feel that politicians should take sole responsibility for everything wrong with our country and this should somehow justify them in making politicians into a mockery. We are guaranteed freedom of speech by the Constitution, but as Americans we should know where to draw the line and show some respect to the leaders of our country.
I will never be a politician. The past couple of years have made me realize that my aspiration to contribute to working on our nation’s problems does not outweigh my desire to never be made into a humorous birthday card. From television to magazines, to cups, tee-shirts, billboards, and all the rest, it seems everyone wants to take a stab at the opposition. As a society we are obsessed finding flaws in people that we hate and relishing in them. Barack Obama has had to deal with many accusations and jokes about everything from his young age, to his skin color, and even his middle name has been scrutinized. Similarly John McCain has been called too old, and is portrayed as best friends with one of the most unpopular presidents this country has ever known. The issues are often pushed aside, and the minute details are dissected before the eager eyes of the citizens.
Don’t say it, not the “D-word.” No please, not the “R-word” either. Democrat or Republican? Pick a side…right now! With all the drama and the “he-said-she-said” business flying around, it is hard to pick “the better candidate.” No one wants to be slapped with a label of the “uninformed voter.” In this election especially it seems like the candidates are trying to constantly out-do each other in who is less like the current president. No one wants to be associated with such an unpopular laughing stock. George Bush has been portrayed over the past several years as unintelligent, overrun by his staff, and silly to the point of almost ridiculous. Even people who keep up with politics would probably have a hard time sorting through all that has been said about President Bush and determine what is accurate. President Bush’s reputation is an example of the media doing an excellent job forcing their political opinions on viewers through their shows.
The popular show, “Saturday Night Live,” is known for the increasingly hilarious political sketches it puts on for the nation each week. By exaggerating particular characteristics of our nation’s most important people, actors and actresses on this show manage to give a much funnier version of the actual news. Fortunately for them, many people would rather watch this version of the news than FOX or ABC. SNL recently had a field day when Sarah Plain was chosen as John McCain’s VP. SNL actress, Tina Fey’s depiction of Sarah Palin showed Palin as ditzy and inexperienced, but boosted SNL audiences by about 50%. Many people were concerned that this misrepresentation would hurt Palin’s chances because it presented a distorted reality to the ignorant. Harmless or not, Saturday Night Live might have stepped out of neutral grounds. However Sarah Palin was able to put the situation behind her by dismissing Tina Fey’s unflattering impression with a few jokes of her own.
What am I trying to say? That it should be stopped? No more laughing? Of course not. I would not disagree with many people who say that bringing the actions of our leaders into a public light is essential to democracy. Our all knowing media allows for the people in this country to know what their elected leaders are up to, and helps reveal corruption. However, I do think that there are boundaries that should not be crossed. I do not believe that it is respectful or acceptable to make false accusations, to portray our leaders and their families in an insensitive or skewed way, or to make cruel jokes about the age, sex, race, or religion of anyone in this country. Agree or disagree with the decisions made in congress, in court, or in the oval office, as Americans we can do our part by holding back our cruel jokes about our leaders, and instead find beneficial ways to affect society.