The Amazing Power of Stupid
Many years ago when Obama was elected to his first term, the government authorized a monetary handout in an effort to "boost the economy." Yeah, it didn't work as most people saved it instead of spending it. I know I did. With the press interviewing people about this handout, I remember one woman touting the greatness that was Obama since he was the one giving everyone all this money. The reporter asked the woman where the money was coming from and at first she said she didn't know and then she said, "Obama!" Cheering his name, the reporter asked where Obama was getting the money and she again said she didn't know. It was "Obama money." The report ended with her constantly praising Obama. Yeah, stupidity at its finest. I don't know why I'm still amazed at stupid people, but I am. I can't fathom people are so stupid. It's because of that that I don't read a lot of political or issue posts on FB. FB is the epitome of stupid posts. Occasionally I do, but it's rare. So it was during one of these rare occurrences that I found myself surprised once again. The post was about the government disallowing the purchase of "junk" food with food stamps. It's not a new sentiment. Clearly, if someone pays for something, perhaps they get to dictate what can be purchased. I went ahead and clicked on the comments to see what people were saying. Perhaps I was trying to be optimistic that the arguments were logical, reasonable, and we'll thought out. Perhaps I was looking for new ideas on the issues. Whatever the case, I was sorely disappointed. The first commenter stated the obvious: the government gives out money, they get to decide what their money is used for. She then added to that by saying that it was even more valid given that the government paid for the health care too. Standard stuff. It was the replies to this comment that brought my eye rolls front and center. The first reply, and the dozen or so after (I had to click out), said simply, "the government doesn't pay for these programs; the taxpayers do." Uh, wha???? Sure, one person spouting this nonsense I get, but a dozen or more? Really? Mob mentality is a real thing. It's how riots are born, but I still have difficulty understanding how people could be this stupid. No more clicking on FB issues posts. Sigh.