Good post. The Zappa quote is amazing, how I feel about politics myself. The difference today is that the Democrats have the most shiny outrageous scenery and thus need to be attacked the most. But it doesn't hide a brick wall it hides a tank.

As far as "neocon" conservatives. There is no such thing, it's just a word coined by the press/academia and used to hang around Republicans neck. It's one of the illusions of which you so well speak in your post.

No artist that endorses any politician, “liberal”, or “conservative”, is worth paying any attention to, period. If they are endorsing mediocrity, then can you guess what they have to offer you artistically? Exactly.

The real punks recognize that you have 2 faces of the same oppressing class to chose from. And they are pissed about it, as we all should be.

@ATOMICAT – yes, Zappa did consider himself “conservative” – but not in the Neocon sense. He did not identify with any political party. He found both the Democrats and Republicans of the time completely useless, which is just as true today. Check YouTube for his appearance on Crossfire.

“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre.” – Frank Zappa

As for the Republican = Punk thing um, well, I think if I quote one of my favorite Propoghandi tunes here the naughty word filter would not approve but the title is something like Stick the Something Something Flag up your Something Something Something. Look it up.

This does beg the question though… how extensive is the punk section in your music collection and what does it consist of?