Adventures in My Mind
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Apr 12, 2008
Obama's Response to the So-Called "Bittergate" Controversy
If you're from the small towns of central PA or the suburbs of Pittsburgh, you know that he's right.
I grew up here. I know the frustration. I've seen the anger, the resentment, the hopelessness. I still live here and I see the one issue voters - guns, abortion, immigration, gay marriage - spouting intolerance and anger.
Obama is right. Washington, Harrisburg, or another capitol in this nation is out of answers so they choose demagoguery to seek votes. They set a group of "them" vs. a group "us" and choose sides. They keep the electorate separated through fear, envy, and distrust. They choose religion to soothe and the 2nd amendment to arouse. They speak platitudes as barter for votes.
Ask the people of Aliquippa, PA or Gary, IN what any government official has done for their towns in the last 25 years. You won't get many positive answers. The most popular person in Aliquippa is Mike Ditka; and not because they're proud of their native son who's done well, but because he donates the most money to their incredibly successful football program. He gives them something to believe in.
Why is the NRA second only to the catholic church in numbers of believers in PA? Because, as Obama says, it gives people something to believe in. The jobs have fled. Their kids have moved away and a constant flow of office seekers have come to soothe their fears and tell them that everything will be okay. Well, guess what. It's not. And it hasn't been for a long time.
That is what Obama was talking about.
Clinton is only half right when she says that she doesn't see bitterness, that she sees hope and resiliency. Of course there is resiliency. After all the small towns have just dried and blown away. But she has also seen the bitterness. In fact, she counts on it. Her entire "I'm a fighter" stance is grounded in that bitterness. Why else would they need a fighter if the people in small town America didn't feel betrayed by their elected officials? Fight whom? For what?
Her criticisms of elitism sounds very hollow as she proffers a protective wing for those who have allegedly been wronged. "Come with me," she says. "I will make it better. I know what's good for you."
Elitism indeed.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 1:35 PM
