Comparisons are inherently for two reasons.  First, if they are honest, they expose the truth.  And if they are not honest, they expose bias and agenda.

Either way, truth is exposed.

Consider the most useless comparisons I can think of:

• (#2)¹  Mac Versus PCs:  This particular battle infuriates me.  Mac users are among the worst snobs on the Internet. I repeat:  Mac users are among the worst snobs on the Internet. I use PC’s by choice, but would happily buy a Mac if their price point was reasonable, and if their marketing would transcend a few particularly irritating limitations which I keep nameless. 
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   I  have been embroiled in this one on a religious music discussion board of all places.  My Nemesis there while claiming to be a PC user himself has also branded PC’s as cheap and faulty, making his claims of neutrality a little suspect.  But the big issues is his disdain.  His choice of words implies my choice to be ignorant and stupid, and I can say with years of professional experience,  that it is neither.

  The truth is that both offer advantages, both have limitations.  Each has strengths and weaknesses.  Pick the one that satisfies more of your needs, or if possible, pick both.  But stop bickering.

• ( #3 ) Democrats v Republicans:   Sorry to all, but if you have been paying attention, the chief difference between the two primary American parties is simply the fine details.  In the areas that matter most to our nation, assuming we cared, they are indistinguishable.
• (#4) Coke v Pepsi:  Who cares.  Pick one.  Buy it.  Enjoy it.  Move on.
• (#5) Kirk v Picard:  If you aren’t a nerd you don’t care.  If you are, you shouldn’t care.  Either way, WHO CARES!

So in these examples, we have a lot of attention in many forums on what effectively is a useless argument.  In some cases the subjects are fictitious, in others they may as well be.

I spend more time on personal comparisons.  Consider my financial plight with that of others struggling now:

I have a job.  Even after my forced pay cut I have a decent wage.  Even after my benefits were scaled down and my out of pocket costs increased, I still pay less than my industry peers.  Even though layoffs have increased my workload and my effective scope of responsibility (and potential for failure) has increased, my sense of accomplishment has also increased accordingly, as has my potential to excel.  And even if my marriage has crumbled, my relationship with my friends and family has compensated.

Compare that to some people in other places.  Would you want to be in the Auto industry?  With the Federal Government making General Motors nationalized into (effectively) Government Motors?  With the US selling Chrysler to Italy for the highest bid?   All this results in factories closing down, dealerships closing for no reason and who knows what impact on the cost of cars once the Liberals make them into their green eco friendly images.  (Goodbye Free Market, we will miss you.)

On the average worker’s level, I am doing much better even if this time last year my contract temp status was considered unstable compared to theirs. 

Irony, they sting is sweet…and bitter.

Do I really have a right to piss and moan?  Yes, my daughter and facer a rough short term as we adjust to our new living circumstances, but compared to many, I live the dream life.  So I can’t complain.

My blog is slow in the popularity department, as so many changes have lowered my ’stats’ and ‘popularity ratings’, but my writing is more real and substantive than ever, in my personal assessment.

It is hard to fathom.

On a National level though, we see the most useless comparison of all:  Obama v Bush.

Here lately, there is no difference.  Despite a campaign firmly grounded on Bush Derangement Syndrome, Barack has become his nemesis:  Renditions continue under anew label, Gitmo remains unclosed as he deals with the realities it represents, wiretaps continue, Government secrets continue, the war continues and even Military tribunals seem fated to resume.

Despite claims to clean up DC, lobbyists abound, corruption infiltrates his administration and spending is as earmark laden as ever.

Despite  claims of bipartisanship, partisan gridlock is firmly in place, more so than ever.

It is ironic as Obama compares himself to Bush that Obama comes across weak, and Bush is vindicated.

Rather than plan speeches comparing himself to Lincoln and Bush, Obama should focus on establishing his vision.  Instead he seems doomed to define himself against someone else’s.

Oh…and speaking of dangerous comparisons, all those priding themselves on the Obama/Lincoln comparisons, you may want to read more about how Lincoln made huge suspensions of civil rights during the civil war…

And finally, the #6 useless comparison?

Miller Lite’s Less Filling v Taste Great.

Trackposted to Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, DragonLady’s World, The Pink Flamingo, CORSARI D’ITALIA, and Stageleft, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

1. The most useless comparison EVER is the age old MaryAnn versus Ginger on Gilligan’s Island [back]