AMERICA'S BITTER PILL
Only in America would Barack Obama's comments below be considered controversial:
[He was trying to explain his troubles winning over some working-class voters, saying they have become frustrated with economic conditions:
"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ]
He's 100% right. This has nothing to do with being elitist, anti-god or anti-gun. This is an honest statement about how people, downtrodden and forgotten by successive US governments feel. I think, based on his comments, he's the most 'in-touch' of the US Canadidates. Makes we wish I could vote for him!
Instead of saying to people who do feel put out and bitter 'its ok, its just the american way' and continuing with business as usual (ie Clinton and probably McCain), Obama has said it like it is and isn't talking down to people.
I hope now more than ever he gets elected!
Cheers,
P
Only in America would Barack Obama's comments below be considered controversial:
[He was trying to explain his troubles winning over some working-class voters, saying they have become frustrated with economic conditions:
"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ]
He's 100% right. This has nothing to do with being elitist, anti-god or anti-gun. This is an honest statement about how people, downtrodden and forgotten by successive US governments feel. I think, based on his comments, he's the most 'in-touch' of the US Canadidates. Makes we wish I could vote for him!
Instead of saying to people who do feel put out and bitter 'its ok, its just the american way' and continuing with business as usual (ie Clinton and probably McCain), Obama has said it like it is and isn't talking down to people.
I hope now more than ever he gets elected!
Cheers,
P
posted by Patrick at
2:18 PM
3 Comments:
I've been hearing there is 'controversy' state side about what Obama said; accusing him of being elitist and even anti-American for his comments. In the more conservative articles that I've read (where the controversy and criticism is rooted), there appears to be an un-stated position that to criticize the status quo in the U.S. and to demand a better future is a bad thing.
Regardless of whether I agree with Obama's assessment of the status quo and his vision of the future, I believe people – particularly a political leader -- should question the status quo; should challenge the nation to improve itself; and should have a vision for a better future. To do so is a healthy necessity in my view, not a thing to disparage as being nation-bashing or anti-American.
I would argue we should demand that from our leaders in Canada, and when it comes to voting time -- we decide as to whether we agree with and support their particular vision and plan. That's healthy.
- Mark C
By
Anonymous, at 1:03 PM
Yes absolutely.
People keep saying we need people to speak truth to power. We also need, just as badly, leaders to speak plain truth to the masses.
Cheers,
P
By
Patrick, at 12:38 PM
From what I've heard, his comments haven't really been that controversial among the people he was aiming for when he said them. They have stirred up a lot of animosity among those who never would have voted Democratic anyway, and among the pundits who are always ready to pounce on Democrats for "class warfare," but there's no evidence that Obama's comments hurt among anyone who was ever open to voting for him in the first place. Typical media swill.
Lucky for us, the media has moved on to whining about Obama's bowling scores instead.
By
Dave, at 12:15 AM
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