By DAVID BIRKDALE
COLUMNIST

Like many Americans, I have trouble taking American politics, or at least American politicians, seriously.

What caused this ? I’m not even sure. The absurd polarization, bombastic posturing and nonsensical sound bites probably had something to do with it.

The 2012 presidential campaign, with its ridiculous ads, silly debates and wild mudslinging, made it clear to me that American politics, at least as it was presented to the electorate, was absurd. Last week, a satirical piece by Andy Borowitz in which Rep. Michelle Bachmann claimed that scientists are all liars was wildly passed around Facebook by people believing it to be an actual news report.

Considering that the Republican leader was actually criticized for being a witch in her youth, I’m only half-surprised that people will take such claims seriously. More recently, I came across a report saying that Vice President Joseph Biden had actually compared LaGuardia Airport to a “third-world country.” This, I somehow discovered, actually wasn’t satire. Somehow.

My point: due to either sensationalistic reporting or extremely disappointing performances from elected leaders, it’s no longer clear whether satire or real life is more ridiculous when it comes to politics.

Perhaps the most absurd aspect of American politics is the left-right spectrum. Why is it that if one wants to vote for protections for the unborn, one must also vote for politicians supporting big business, de-regulation of firearms and the use of torture on prisoners? Lest anyone think I’m picking on the Republicans, what logical connection is there between environmental conservation, progressive social values and concern for the poor? Let’s say I oppose torture and abortion, and believe in a duty to care for the poor. In this scenario, the last election put me between a rock and a hard place without a candidate to fully support.

How much do the parties actually differ? George W. Bush and Barack Obama both executed wars many believe to be unjust and continued the operation of the infamous prison Guantanamo Bay (despite promises to the contrary by the latter). Certainly the Democratic and Republican parties aren’t identical, but have quite a bit of overlap in their policymaking history.

Finally, the current political spectrum forces each person to choose between two behemoths: big government and big business. While few praise these large institutions, they are seen as necessary evils.

Why is there no third alternative? Is it possible to have both small business and small government, such that the common man and woman can once again have a voice?