…but not really. The last decade wasn’t so much of a learning experience as it was a 10 year long empirical proof meant to illustrate that nothing ever really changes. “History repeats itself” is the popular saying, and it does. Not in the details, mind you, but in the big picture. The German philosopher Georg Hegel believed that reality was itself a transcendent consciousness unraveling throughout history. Well, it must have Down’s Syndrome because it isn’t getting anywhere.

Let’s recap, shall we?

In November 2000, half of America was livid that George W. Bush stole the election by confusing some old, senile Jews in Florida. But let us not forget that the beloved JFK essentially bought his time in office. As a matter of fact, some newly discovered letters reveal this fun little tidbit: ”I just received the following wire from my generous daddy — ‘Dear Jack, Don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide.’” JFK wrote that in 1958. Parallels? Anyone, anyone?

As for our time in Iraq? I’m fairly certain we’ve invaded Iraq at least once a decade since the 1970s. Really nothing new about that. Just watch this 1996 stand up clip from Jon Stewart and you’ll realize it wasn’t even new back then:

And of course there’s the bailouts, which citizens immediately rallied against because they thought it would lead to Socialism. You know, those same slippery slope argument loving believers who think gay marriage will lead to bestiality. Those people are fun to watch, aren’t they? But some quick research reveals that again, the US government has been bailing out companies and even cities since 1970. Did you know the US government gave a $9.4 billion bail out to New York City in 1975? Chrysler got a $4 billion bail out in 1980. The Airline industry got an $18.6 billion bail out after the 9/11 attacks. And of course there’s the $293.3 billion bail out the first President Bush gave to the Savings & Loan sector in 1989. Business as usual, or so they say.

And now people are yelling that Reality TV is the new great devil meant to distract us from all these problems. Glenn Beck and his ilk call out for a return to a simpler time when people were good and wholesome. I assume they mean the 1950s? Ah yes, the glorious 1950s! Who can forget that wonderful, care-free decade when the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union casually gripped everyone’s every waking thought? And is it purely coincidental that this decade gave birth to “Leave it to Beaver”? A television show about a happy suburban family living the American Dream. You’re telling me that wasn’t a distraction? Entertainment is always a distraction! That’s the definition of escapism. And it’s not good, and it’s not bad. It just is.

And so it goes on. As I said, the details change. The motives change. But the big picture never changes. Some  people will always concern themselves with the details though, thinking that they can make a change. Good for them I say. We need those people to counteract all the assholes in the world. Life is a contest of wills and we need both sides to maintain some sort of balance, even if the balance gets shifted every so often disproportionately to one side or the other. I consider myself lucky that, like Hegel, I don’t feel the need to get involved on either side too much. It’s too stressful. I don’t need it. For the most part, I’m happy stepping back and watching the show. Even if it is the same movie over and over again.