Giving the devil his due

Political allegiances are not formed until you have real responsibility in your life. It seems to me it would be hard to pick up any particular banner if you live with your parents and don't pay rent. No, living in a dorm room on campus probably does not count either.

Life is a series of challenges and problems presenting themselves at inopportune moments. You either make the best of them or succumb to them. Either way you end up being an example for the rest of society to learn from. Having your thoughts, life and money on the line is the true test of where your politics lie. All broad topics aside, let's move back to one singular issue.

You probably noticed we are in the middle of an economic crunch right now. Some people have told me they are tired of hearing about it, however ignoring a problem never made it go away. Believe me, I've tried on countless occasions. Maybe it will go down the rabbit hole temporarily, but in the long run it will catch you.

Over the past week and a half, the waning torch for the Republican Party has been most recently passed from Bobby Jindal, who reminds me of Kenneth the Page from 30 Rock, after his blunder on national television following a nationally televised speech by President Obama, to one Rush Limbaugh.

Rush as evil conservative overlord to many Democrats is nothing new. I have been familiar with his work since his syndicated television show in the nineties while President Bill Clinton was in office. I was a strange kid. Even in my own home, Limbaugh was a lightning rod.

Recently, Limbaugh has stated since present President Barack Obama has taken his oath, he hopes to see the president fail. Let me give you some more context here. Rush stated in his radio program since he is opposed to liberal policy and liberal goals in our country and society, he would like to see those who uphold these principles fail. Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion for their own self-aggrandizing purposes.

When the hearts and minds of people that are tuned in cannot separate fact from fiction, entertainment from reality, or making sense from making money, what Limbaugh uses as material on his radio program are unsettling ideas in the hands of the ignorant. Don't get me wrong, the left have their overt ring masters of political agenda as well, with the likes of Keith Olbermann now leading the charge. The aim of either of these gentlemen don't lend much credibility to any sort of personal bona fides.

President Obama and top aides have listed Rush as Republican numero uno over the last two weeks, giving his cause more credence. I always felt more comfortable with Rush rallying the troops from the sidelines, rather than being even whispered about in the pantheon of national public office. Now, with this attention, CNN recently felt it necessary to give 90 minutes of uninterrupted camera time (as in no commericals) to Rush as he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.

This is the amount of time generally reserved for presidents, senators and other distinguished men and women who at least pose as people who are do gooders within the public trust, no matter which alter ego they slip into while off Capital Hill. Not steaming hate tanks who rally people under a message of hate and disdain for the opposition. There is a pile of money, over 400 million dollars to be exact, to be made over limp balls of clay from coast to coast.

What is unsettling is a major media outlet felt compelled to raise awareness and the importance of a man who has been on an agenda train of victory through heavy handed rhetoric since his rise to national prominence. Through the campaign Rush, and other conservative commentators, held the President up as an empty suit. An inexperienced politician from a crooked state with no political governance who could do no right. Somewhere in the master plan I'd like to see, socially, where Limbaugh falls into the equation. What has he contributed? What has he given to the masses on a regular basis other than rhetoric, words, and a lack of understanding and working together?

The battle cry of opposing a liberal media is nothing new in Rush's repertoire. Using it as an instrument to push the end game of Rush having control over this conservative movement are means to justify the ends. I'm not talking about the unwavering influence among his own, because he has it. Not even the money, because the checks are signed and he is set for life. The man in front of the golden microphone has an ego stretching beyond the world of entertainment, and attention from presidents will only serve to do the opposite of quelling it's behemoth-like appetite.

Many revere him as a great American hero who has the interests of the common man in mind, others wake up in a cold sweat seeing him froth at the mouth and jowls as he sets his sights on loftier goals. For those who put him on a pedestal, he is the ultimate example of the man with his and on the string tied to the carrot. Common people don't amass piles of money, live on prescription painkillers for years and fly to foreign countries to have illicit relations with women in brothels. Each time you buy into his idea of how America should be, all you are doing is buying him another Monte Cristo. From Cuba. A socialist country.

For those who fear suffering under his wrath, get over yourselves. He recognized a market and exploited it all the way to the failing banks. For the purposes of entertainment, the man is a Rhodes Scholar, as long as you can see him for what he is. However, this is the quandary in the question.

What is one to do with the message? How seriously is the message taken and how far does it go? Apparently, straight to the White House. And in the middle of heightened unemployment and an economy wrapped in a Faberge egg, beware of men who seek failure to quench their thirst for attention.