For my nefarious scheme of the day, I’d like to propose that we revoke speaking privileges for both Janeane Garofalo (at least outside of her role on “24”) and Rush Limbaugh. OK, so it might violate their rights as American citizens, but if we look at it from a utilitarian perspective, then it should be perfectly acceptable due to the millions of headaches that’ll be cured.

Now, maybe I’ve just reached the inevitable life stage of curmudgeon a couple decades ahead of schedule, but I have to say that the last few months have only intensified a developing desire to dealign myself from any political party affiliation. As shocking as it may sound from someone who used to vote straight Democrat across the board, even if it meant picking a knowingly corrupt candidate on several occasions, the truth is that I’ve had about enough with the seemingly increasing number of extremists. As far as the right is concerned—well, since I was first exposed to the thought of uber-conservatives like Limbaugh—I’ve promised myself I’d never support a platform that could actually consider such people—who often make statements too heinous to mention here—as representing (or even leading, if you believe Rahm Emanuel) the Republican Party.

It wasn’t until recently, though, that I came to see just how the opposite end of the spectrum employs disturbingly similar tactics. From Garofalo classifying tea-party protestors as “racists” to reporters in the field and anchors in studio mocking what they snidely deemed “tea-bagging,” what we saw was a categorically shameful display. Yes, you can say that this was only a few individuals and that it is in no way representative of the entire population, but frankly I’m just not so sure anymore. Maybe it’s because I recently went over to the so-called “dark side” and started complementing my main course of CNN with a side dish of Fox News, but now more than ever I feel aware of the incredible division that permeates our society today.

Just look at the polls and you’ll see it firsthand: Last I saw about 75 percent of Democrats approved of Obama’s work thus far, while the same percentage of Republicans disapproved of the job he’s doing. Turn on CNN and they’ll tell you things have begun to pick up; then switch over to Fox News and hear about how the current administration’s policies have already failed. Let’s face it: If Obama captured Osama bin Laden tomorrow, we’d hear from the right that it should have been done sooner, and if he got down on one knee to greet Hugo Chávez, the left would say he was just tying his shoe.

You may say I’m just overreacting to what is nothing more than a proud display of the First Amendment at its finest, but if this truly is bipartisanism, then from now on I’ll take my chances as an independent.