Politics

by David Elder

Created on: March 02, 2008

Michael Moore is a film maker, the author of several books, and a political activist, who has transformed the term "Question Authority" into his own personal art form. For a majority of Americans, Michael Moore is an irritation, an insult to hallowed institutions, and a misguided rebel who finds fault with our government at every turn. For these reasons, he will be remembered more as a political activist than as a filmmaker. Only time will tell if his books will be his crowning achievement.

Michael Moore is either lauded as a visionary or reviled as a traitor. Regardless of his affect on those who read his books or watch his films, he fulfills his role as agitator admirably. It may be a combination of his scraggly appearance, his weight, and his overbearing confidence in his mission to uncover real and imagined conspiracies that makes him a lightning rod for polarity. Whether he's hated or hailed, it's impossible not to have an opinion of Michael Moore.

In his first film "Roger and Me" Mr. Moore chronicles the demise of Flint Michigan through the loss of automotive jobs at General Motors. As with all of his subsequent documentaries, Michael mixes humor with serious accusations that show in stark reality, the damaging effects on Middle America caused by corporate greed. True to his "in your face" style of journalism; Michael tries to get an interview with Roger Smith, the CEO of GM, with hysterical results.

Following the same general theme, Moore's film "The Big One" shines a light on the Nike Corporation and their propensity for sweatshop manufacturing overseas, and whom he contends ignores and even encourages human rights violations. Moore's interviews with the CEO of Nike, Phil Knight, garnered some priceless responses that eventually led to improved conditions at Nike's plants.

The film "Bowling for Columbine" decried the proliferation of guns in America, and the ease with which they could be obtained. Michael's efforts were rewarded with an Oscar, the unending enmity of the NRA. Mr. Moore's interview with the spokesman and president of the NRA, Charlton Heston, showed his lack of respect as he belittled one of America's favorite icons. The treatment of Mr. Heston at the hands of Michael Moore may have been the turning point for conservative America in their utter dislike of the filmmaker.

In his most controversial film to date, "Fahrenheit 9/11" Michael Moore took aim at President Bush and his administration for the handling of the aftermath of the tragedy on September 11th, 2001, and the subsequent war in Iraq. Strong business ties between the Bush family and Saudi Arabian Sheiks were detailed in this movie, which alienated a large portion of the American public. By this time it became apparent that no one in political office or business leadership wanted to talk to Michael Moore.

His latest film, "Sicko" is an indictment of the health care industry in America. The film follows the plight of ordinary American citizens who are trying to obtain medical care, and concludes that an alternative system is needed which caters more to the patient than a conglomeration of profit minded medical institutions and insurance companies.

Michael Moore, for better or worse, has become the conscience of America. His dogged desire to uncover governmental corruption and incompetence is at the core of our strength as a nation. His mission to show the deleterious effects of outsourcing, and the horror of human rights violations should be applauded. The mixture of humor that plays like a sardonic tune through all of his films helps to ease the burden of the painful introspection of our nation.

There are those who find him odious and needlessly irreverent, shocked at the temerity of anyone who would insult our President. American business leaders wish he would simply go away, seeing him more as a pain in the backside than the quixotic crusader envisioned by his supporters.

Without men and women like Michael Moore, our nation could be lulled into complacency. If he overreaches at times, we will excuse his minor lapse, remembering that we need the occasional hard look in the mirror. His lack of respect for convention forces us to consider that which we may have been ignoring.

We will look forward to his newest documentary, and delight at those who squirm at his approach. The value of someone like Mr. Moore cannot be overstated in a world of respectful conformity. He dares to challenge that comfortable conventionality with his political activism, for which he will always be remembered.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/index.php

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