Chicago Sports, American Politics and Spectatoritis

So there's a disease from way back, I mean way back called spectatoritis. You can read about it HERE.

Basically, the thin and thick of it is this, we spend entirely too much time watching other people do things instead of doing them ourselves. For all intents and purposes we've become a bunch of spectators to life.

What does that have to do with Chicago sports? Simple, Chicago sports fans, like all other sports fans are spectators. Now why do I think that Chicago sports fans are more worthy of being written about than any other city's sports fans? Well, I don't, I only know Chicago sports fans because that's what I've been since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

I've come to a conclusion in my old age. The conclusion is very simple. Mediocrity shouldn't be tolerated. It really shouldn't. You shouldn't accept anything less than the best from yourself and from those around you. If they won't give you their level best they should be ruthlessly cut out of your life. I think most people can get on board with that kind of simplicity. Now it certainly doesn't happen. I mean how many of us can honestly say that we gave everything we had today, and did everything to the very best of our abilities? I'm going to say that it's less than 1%. I sure as shit know that I didn't.

Now that mediocrity and the acceptance of it is what brings me to Chicago sports. For the sake of this argument the Blackhawks have to be completely disregarded over the past few years since Rocky Wirtz took over. Take them back when the old man was running things and they'd fit right in, but the Hawks are definitely not a mediocre team. They are doing whatever they can to be the best in the league at every moment of the season. Okay, that's bullshit but they try really hard. They falter like everyone else but they put a whole lot more effort in than most Chicago teams.

What do you have left over? Cubs, Sox, Bulls, and Bears. Bulls were a dynasty at one point. Not to take away from that, but remove one player from that and they're middle of the pack at best. Bears have won only one SuperBowl, plenty of NFL championships but only one superbowl. Sox got one world series. Cubs are a monument to mediocrity.

What do all Chicago teams except for the White Sox have in common? They all sell out pretty much every home game. They all sell more merchandise than most of the rest of their respective leagues and they all enjoy some of the most fervent support among professional sports teams in the nation.

They also have some of the most miserable owners, Jerry Reinsdorf and The McKaskeys come to mind. They certainly have some of the highest ticket prices in their respective leagues and it will never get old for me telling people how much beer costs at a game in Chicago. So long as they're not from New York they look at me like I've got an arm growing out of my head.

Should we support our teams like that? I'm going to go with no. But that's my thought. I'll most likely be crucified or burned in effigy by my Chicago loving bretheren but so be it. Any team that has the audacity to charge over $100 for nosebleeds better be in the hunt for the superbowl every year. I'm looking at you Virginia!

I think the cost of a ticket should be determined by your record. It should go up and down with your wins and losses. Patriots can charge an arm and a leg for tickets, because they're worth it. Bears? Not so much.

If you're a defending champion, you get to charge a 5% awesomeness fee. If you were last in the league you have to give away all your 300 level seats.

Okay, so I may be going overboard but what I'm talking about is accountability folks. You, and I are held accountable for our actions and our sports teams should be as well.

Now politicians. In this season of presidential campaigning and the requisite mud slinging that comes along with that has basically shown the American people to be a little less than intelligent. At least if you're watching this election on Facebook which is what a whole lot of people do nowadays.

I'm not even really talking about the politicians, because at least to a point the news media holds them accountable for their words and actions. I know, I know, the media is a bunch of chuckleheads too who pretty much pander to whatever party they're looking to have win. However, at least if you want a balanced viewpoint you can watch Fox with picture in picture on MSNBC and try to listen to both and maybe come out the other end with some kind of actual information.

I'm talking about your average everyday people who spout off on Facebook daily about whatever issue and or candidate is near and dear to their hearts. Most of my friends, it's gun control. Which I care about to be sure, but I've also realized that luckily (as far as gun control is concerned) we've got a hopelessly divided nation and hopelessly divided lawmakers and so long as they all stay hopelessly divided then there isn't much to worry about. The worrying will begin when they can all get together, that's when we'll be in real trouble.

The worst part of people who are really against any kind of gun control (and I'm using gun control as an example, this applies broadly) is the level of horseshit they are willing and able to spew and believe. Example, "from my cold dead hand" This has become cliche since Charlton Heston said it, and I love hearing it from some yutz in a bar who can barely remember where he parked his volvo, or you hear it from the old guys who are having trouble controlling those tremors. Regardless of who's filthy sewer it comes out of I'd like to test that theory.

I think if you're willing to say it, you better be willing to back that shit up. Let's see if they'll stick to their guns? Send a bunch of armed cops over to their house, knock on the door and say we're here for your guns and let's see what they do. I'll give 10-1 they lay down like a $2 hooker.

Run your mouth on Facebook you had better be able to back that shit up in real life. If you're not, then shut your fucking mouth. Not to mention, it should be completely impossible to comment anonymously. You have something to say, if you're going to say it, sign your name to it. Otherwise, shut the fuck up!

Basically, all this comes down to is this. This nation has lost all sense of accountability and responsibility. Like these sports teams, we allow mediocrity. It's why there's like a 92% incumbency rate. We allow shitty politicians to get right back in office because we allow it. We allow it because no one will stand up and take the place of these fucktards. (I'm not exempt, I'm just as bad. So don't go challenging me to run for office. I'm included in all of this.) We would seriously cut down on the level of bullshit that people would be willing to spew if we held people accountable for their actions as well as their words.

You think you can run the country? Get your ass in the game.

You played 16 games and lost 12? I'm not coming to your games.

You said something about so and so on the internet? Don't be mad when they show up and smack you in the mouth.

I'm kinda losing my train of thought here, but  the principle is there. Every action, whether it be speech, writing, physical action or whatever, has an equal and opposite reaction, except when you live here, and that is complete bullshit.

I love you Mom...