I noticed something worrisome last night watching MSNBC's coverage of the Wisconsin recall vote. Many of the talking heads implied that those who supported Scott Walker were robots with quarters in their back, while those voters who opposed him were real flesh and blood people. Indeed, in some cases the dehumanization of the Walker voters went even further, giving the impression that it had been a contest between dollars and people, with people coming out on the losing end.
Unfortunately, we see the same sort of thing in this morning's news coverage. Case in point:
“It’s pretty clear that the voices of ordinary citizens are at permanent risk of being drowned out by uninhibited corporate spending,” said Michelle Ringuette, an official with the American Federation of Teachers.
If the implication is that "ordinary citizens" supported Walker's opponent, what does that make Walker's supporters? Bought and paid for automatons?
It cannot be healthy for our polity when we start dehumanizing the opposition. And, yes, I know both sides do it, so don't bother saying so in the comments.
