I like listening to talk radio. I have a few favorites but I listen to a variety of shows and, occasionally, catch some inspiration.
Today, I listened to about 20 minutes of Rush Limbaugh. When I tuned in, a caller was telling Rush that he "doesn't give himself enough credit." She laughed, giggled, and twittered incessantly about Rush's greatness. I expected her to faint, but this was not a Barack Obama rally . . .
Now, I agree with Rush on a lot of points. That being said, I must disclose that I believe any man who refers to his talent as "talent on loan from God," does not have an ego problem. Like another host, Michael Savage, Rush is fond of giving himself "positive strokes" on the air. Savage is a self-proclaimed expert on everything even though he holds a doctorate in nutrition which he is quick to discredit. He holds himself in such high regard that he (Savage) says he will not vote for president this election cycle because they are all too liberal. I get your point, but boycotting the vote won't change the government.
Both take credit for grand schemes, fortuitous insight, and for breaking the most important stories. At times, there is so much "positive stroking" that I feel dirty even listening. While Savage warns that his show contains "psychological nudity" I dare say both of them should warn of "psychological masturbation." These men throw off so many "seeds of thought" that I feel psychologically splooged-upon if I listen to either one for more than a half hour.
Don't get me wrong, these men have exerted great influence on American culture and politics. If they think, however, that their grandiose self-proclamations are going to invigorate the average American citizen, they are sadly mistaken. With guys like these around, no wonder half our population (citizens of a center-right culture) are turned off by conservatives.
Part of their appeal is that they don't seem to want to appeal to anyone. Yet, in doing so, they turn right-leaning citizens away. Instead of energizing these citizens to vote and make a difference in society, the marginally right view pontificators like Rush and Savage as extremists kooks. These conservatives and moderate conservatives think, "If they are kooks, they why should we listen to anything they say?"
Mr. Limbaugh, Mr. Savage, good for you with your big egos and great self esteem. If you are trying to be abrasive, like sandpaper, you are doing a great job. If, however, you are trying to win the average American over to conservative economic, social, military, and government principles, perhaps you should tone down how great you are and spend more time addressing the power of the American citizen's vote. So much of what you say is good, but it gets covered up in self aggrandizement. Some of us just don't want to hear how great thou art.
