TA professionalism

So today in section for that dumb philosophy class, my TA kept interjecting his personal political opinions into his lecture.  Furthermore, these political jabs were not at all relevant to our discussion.  I tend to be aware of this kind of stuff just because I've noticed it happens more often than you'd think.

Some of the comments he made were particularly negative towards America.  He said: "America has the worst correctional system in the world.  The majority of those incarcerated are there for minor drug charges, and it's racist - 86% of all prisoners are black."

Okay that is a loaded statement. While it might have some merit, I find it disgusting that he would bash our country in front of students, many of whom are international.  Is America perfect?  No of course not.  But the middle of a philosophy section is not the time or place to disseminate your irrelevant opinions.  Furthermore, a white guy talking about race relations in America is never a recipe for success (and this TA is unquestionably white).

Then he went on to give his opinion about voting.  He said: "Don't vote. It's a waste of time because you can't change anything."  Again, dude that's your opinion.  And you're absolutely entitled to your opinions, that's the beauty of the First Amendment.  Personally I hold voting in very high regard - it is one of the fundamental rights you have as an American, to be able to choose your representatives in government.  For you to essentially call that right worthless is pretty insulting.  Again that statement might hold some merit - I'm don't believe my opinion is the only right answer.

Later in the section, we were discussing a philosophical concept about what is a person morally responsible for if they were forced do an action via coercion.  In order to illustrate a point, he used went back to his opinions on voting.  What he used as his example was: "if you are coerced to vote Republican, should you be held morally responsible for it?"

Ummm....  I'm sorry dude but that's not cool.  Like this philosophical question is meant to be used with regards to acts that are truly morally reprehensible, such as "if you are coerced to murder, should you be held morally responsible for it?"  Suggesting that voting Republican is morally objectionable is not cool.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a member of the Rush Limbaugh fan club.  Hell I'm gay, I don't think the Republicans are angels.  But I also respect their opinions on certain issues, and I even agree with the GOP on a few things.  All this is to say that the Friday morning section for Philosophical Problems is not the place for politics, but even if it was, there are much more respectful ways to voice your opinions.