Photo credit, artist: Craig Boehman, fair use
As a child, I was made familiar with work of the late comedian George Carlin through the film Car Wash (1976). Although I was too young to know much about his stand-up comedy routines when in elementary school, I later understood and favored Carlin’s approach to humor.
During one stand-up routine with which I suspect many readers of my blog may be familiar, Carlin discussed his perspective on voting. For those who are unfamiliar with the comedian’s perspective, I submit the following lengthy excerpt from Carlin’s routine:
Now there’s one thing you might have noticed I don’t complain about: politicians. Everybody complains about politicians. Everybody says they suck. Well, where do people think these politicians come from?
They don’t fall out of the sky. They don’t pass through a membrane from “another reality”. They come from American parents, and American families, American homes, American schools, American churches, American businesses, and American universities. And they’re elected by American citizens.
This is the best we can do, folks. This is what we have to offer. It’s what our system produces: garbage in, garbage out. If you have selfish, ignorant citizens—if you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you’re going to get selfish, ignorant leaders.
And term limits ain’t going to do you any good. You’re just going to wind up with a brand new bunch of selfish, ignorant Americans. So maybe, maybe – maybe! – it’s not the politicians who suck. Maybe something else sucks around here, like: “the public.”
Yeah, the public sucks. There’s a nice campaign slogan for somebody: “the public sucks, fuck hope”. Fuck hope! Because if it’s really just the fault of these politicians, then where are all the other bright people of conscience?
Where are all the bright, honest, intelligent Americans ready to step in and save the nation, and lead the way? We don’t have people like that in this country. Everybody’s at the mall, scratching his ass, picking his nose, taking out his credit card out of a fanny pack, and buying a pair of sneakers with lights in them.
So I have solved this little political dilemma for myself in a very simple way: on Election Day, I stay home! I don’t vote. Fuck ’em! Fuck them! I don’t vote. Two reasons. Two reasons, I don’t vote.
First of all, it’s meaningless. This country was bought and sold and paid for a long time ago. The shit they shuffle around every four years [fart sounds] doesn’t mean a fuckin’ thing! And secondly, I don’t vote ’cause I believe if you vote, you have no right to complain.
People like to twist that around. I know, they say, they say, “Well if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.” But where’s the logic in that? If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent people, and they get into office and screw everything up, well, you are responsible for what they have done – you!! – caused the problem!
You voted them in! You have no right to complain! I, on the other hand, who did not vote – who did not vote!! – who in fact did not even leave the house on Election Day, am in no way responsible for what these people have done, and have every right to complain as loud as I want, about the mess – you!! – created, that I had nothing to do with.
So I know that a little later on this year, you’re going to have another one of those really swell presidential elections that you like so much. You’ll enjoy yourselves. It’ll be a lot of fun. I’m sure as soon as the election is over, your country will “improve” immediately.
As for me, I’ll be home on that day, doing essentially the same thing as you. The only difference is, when I get finished masturbating, I’m going to have a little something to show for it, folks.
Unlike when I was a child, I now comprehend Carlin’s approach to comedy. He spoke about truth and reality. Perhaps because so many people remain unfamiliar with these two concepts, what Carlin discussed likely seemed absurd – laughable, even. It sounded comedic.
I, too, find funny what Carlin had to say in the aforementioned routine. It’s funny to me, because what he stated that was so clearly evident at the time when Carlin was alive still holds value to this day. Nonetheless, I realize people may not want to believe that what Carlin said was true.
They may reject reality in favor of delusion. “Carlin was wrong,” someone may protest, “because my vote actually does count!” I suppose this retort depends on what one means by “count.” Are we talking about a mathematic sum?
If 330-350-plus million people who’re said to reside in the United States (U.S.) and who choose to vote are able to have their votes counted, then I concede that the sum total of votes may matter in a direct democracy. However, the U.S. political system is based on a constitutional republic.
Although it’s understandable how people who’ve recently migrated to this country – and who are said to somehow have been able to vote in our elections – may be ignorant of this information, I find it baffling how so many U.S. citizens fail to comprehend this fact. According to one source:
By definition, a republic is a representative form of government that is ruled according to a charter, or constitution, and a democracy is a government that is ruled according to the will of the majority. Although these forms of government are often confused, they are quite different.
The main difference between a republic and a democracy is the charter or constitution that limits power in a republic, often to protect the individual's rights against the desires of the majority.
This means that in a direct democracy, a vote-by-vote does (or presumably would) count. However, in a constitutional republic, this simply isn’t the case. It doesn’t matter how loudly one screams or how emotively one behaves, this is a matter of what is, not what ought to be the case.
Also, it’s delusional to deny reality in favor of the illusion of control or influence that doesn’t actually exist. “But, but, but… voting is a ‘sacred right’ and participation in ‘our democracy’ is the only way to bring about change,” someone misguided by irrational beliefs may retort.
I have the privilege of disputing unproductive – or what one may crudely call “crazy” – beliefs for a living. One thing I’ve learned through dedicated practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is that if people want to delude themselves with unhelpful beliefs, they will.
Therefore, the current blogpost isn’t designed to challenge unproductive beliefs. Likewise, it isn’t meant to persuade people one way or another. Rather, in partial agreement with Carlin – minus some key terms which I’ve italicized and linked above – I’ve chosen my stance.
Other people are free to make their own choices – which doubtlessly will be associated with unpleasant consequences no matter who prevails today, the 2024 U.S. Election Day. Rationally, I choose to acknowledge the limits of my control and influence. Ergo, I don’t vote.
Others choose to delude themselves with the illusion of control and influence by voting. For those of you who illogically and unreasonably select that option, you’ll enjoy yourselves. Right?
Regardless of whether or not you vote, I’ll remain available to practice REBT. Unlike Carlin who ostensibly claimed that people who vote are the ones who “suck,” I don’t judge you. However, I will interrogate the unhelpful beliefs you use to delude yourself.
This approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health is arguably more productive than creating one’s own illusions with delusional beliefs. After all, I suspect that you may not actually enjoy yourself when self-disturbing with beliefs about sociopolitical matters.
Therefore, if you’re dissatisfied with the outcome of today’s election, I’ll remain accessible to help you address whatever musturbation you’ve used to create unpleasant emotional, bodily sensation, and behavioral reactions regarding your unfavorable beliefs. That way, you can have a little something to show for your efforts.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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