Posted By: Bill Newton MD on Friday, April 18, 2008
He made an error of speech. Get over it.. In the real scope of things, is that really important in a president? For eighteen months, nothing but arguing about minutae....
Posted By: Cyrano on Friday, April 18, 2008
The idea that "an error of speech" does not reveal inner beliefs is foolish. He said what he feels. At the same time, in the real scope of things, it's meaningless, and they should stop fooling around and do some thinking with their thinktankers. Give America something meaty, because the entire world is hungry for it, and only America has the power. Unfortunately, the last two times you let the power fall into the hands of the inept and dishonest. Please do a better job this time. Don't give us another nutcase.
Posted By: Mark Abrams on Friday, April 18, 2008
I cannot believe that so much time has been devoted to the word "bitter" that should be used to report on issues of substance. How is each candidate going to address issues affecting our economy, the war, veterans issues, inequality, the healthcare crisis, etc.Don't you have anything better to do?We all know who signs your paycheck!P.S. I all that you are interested in is "dirt", here are some good topics for you to research:Why not follow up on the ethics of McCain's relationship with lobbyist Vicki Iseman? Where the heck did she go? All expense long-term vacation to Europe until after the election maybe?) If Reverend Wright gets your goat, why not examine the relationship between McCain and John Hagee. He's been on TV endorsing a well known religious extremist and dispensationalist. (A heck of alot more scary!)
Posted By: Dauric on Friday, April 18, 2008
Personally I'd rather have a candidate that feels free to speak his or her mind. Not the sanitized sound-bites, but a candidate that has the swinging kajones to say what they mean and mean what they say. Even if they offend me, it's a change from the false "everything to everyone" images that we get sold every other year.It's sad that Obama is running in an atmosphere where he has to apologize for saying minor things that are not entirely inaccurate. I don't cling to guns or religion, but making around 20K a year with grossly inflating gasoline and food prices and government leaders that seem to be divorced entirely from the realities of day-to-day life out here in the real world, yeah I'm bitter as lemon-rind.My $0.02.
Posted By: elore on Friday, April 18, 2008
He did not make an error of speech and its not meaningless. This is far more serious than that. His remarks reflect what is in his mind and heart and its not good. I hope he is not elected president.
At least you cave -some- window in to Obama's thoughts. Clinton and McCain's handlers have made sure that the only thing we ever see is window-dressing. It's like what our candidates are really thinking is classified. Maybe it's just me but the last 8 years I've come to be exhausted with political lies and half-truths and how much damage that kind of disconnect can have.If you think that that reflection, or any reflection, of Obama's thoughts are a bad sign, what can you possibly think about the lack of any reflection from any other candidate. How can you tell what they are thinking? How can you tell how that bodes for their candidacy or their presidency?
Posted By: Bruce LaPlante, WI on Friday, April 18, 2008
This sort of "manufactured political distractions" has been put officially "on notice". See: http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=165017 Has McCain never misspoke (100 years in Iraq; must be what he really wants for the U.S. and the Middle East); or Hillary's exagerations about dodging sniper fire. Magnifying such topics makes the media part of the problem. Let's focus on important issues like the failing economy, the disappearing middle-class, the $10 Trillion national debt (70% run up by "spend and tax with interest Republican Presidents", the lack of Health care for millions of Americans, the crumbling infrastructure (New Orlean's levees and Mnpls I35 bridge). Instead of asking why a candidate is not wearing a flag pin, why not ask why a candidate is not wearing a "Constitution ping". Even Bush & Cheney wear flag pins, yet they have virtually destroyed our Constitution. Republican leaders who met with Bush about the USA Patriot Act, reported Bush saying, "“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”"Is it any wonder he got John Yoo to do his legal bidding. There is so many real issues that are way more important than these "manufactured political distractions".
Posted By: Colin on Friday, April 18, 2008
Mary,I truly appreciate your article and the comments that bring to the forefront - that beg the very question - what exactly is Barack Obama's REAL position.For someone who claims to have accepted Jesus as his savior, and then to make a comment such as this would indicate that his convictions can be bought with mere votes; I shutter to think where his convictions as president might lead this country.And as a white middle class American, I commend you on the bold statement that this country IS truly supported on the backs and sweat of underpaid, incredibly hard-working people that simply want a better life and future for their families. People that endure racism and hatred merely for the hope of a better future.If the narrow minded, selfish, greedy people that scream immigration would go back to history class, they would see that EVERYONE here began with ancestors who were immigrants - everyone that is except for those that we have cheated and then forced onto small plots of land known as reserves.
Posted By: Diana on Friday, April 18, 2008
Why is it that if Obama says something that is politically rocking that we as a public should forgive a momentary lapse? And if he goes to a biggoted offensive church that preaches bigotry for 20 years we are supposed to excuse it? Frankly, I find Obama to be repleat with lack of emotion and just more empty rhetoric. At least I feel comfort in knowing that the Clintons have a good reputation globally and that we can expect for them to raise our nations's assaulted reputation. We know that they were much more economically sound and that they are are not bigots.
Posted By: Daingerfield Ashton on Friday, April 18, 2008
I guess I am not middle America enough for you, I am a very bitter voter who has been discouraged for a damn long time now by the existing polititians who offer no choice whatsoever. I am sick of voting for the lesser of two evils only to find the very worst outcome in every case. While I am not drawn to guns or religion, although I have joined a Quaker meeting. I am now looking at Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols as heroes, and I would consider myself an anarchist. Is that bitter enough? Hell yes, Obama is right on, thank you.
Posted By: Glennis on Friday, April 18, 2008
I agree that his words revealed his inner feelings. I do think, despite all the protestations, that he and his wife are both intellectual snobs. I do not believe for a second that he truly cares about the people he so cavalierly called "bitter", nor do I think he has any viable ideas for creating positive change. Idealistic words sound good, but they'd better be backed up by some sort of practical application to mean anything.
Posted By: David Cruickshank on Friday, April 18, 2008
Obama says things well; very well. He has a true talent for oratory but saying things well and saying things right remain two different things. I grew up in the midwest (MI) and I agree with the article that Obama probably did assess his audience and what they might respond to in generalizing about blue collar america. A genralization because what he describes may not describe some, but it describes many of whom I lived among back in MI. There remains a legacy mindset among many that still can't imagine the need to reinvent themesleves in terms of skills and knowledge and having to always figure out how to remain marketable in a job market that changes much faster than the typcial human lifespan. At one point we lost the family farm to factory farming, we lost the factory-based labor to robots and offshore cheap labor and even with the information age and the promise of high tech we see programming skills are not enough to secure a middle class existence. As Americans maybe we can accept that the captialist notion of a free market economy and that everyone in a democracy has an equal chance means we have to pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps but its asking too much for us to have to do this every few years when institutional investors become unsatisfied with their ROIs and start dismantling industries in the US that people spend half a liftime building dependencies.What I would like to hear from any, actually ALL, of the candidates is how they intend to change the business and economic structures that undermine and devolve the middle calss in America. All the candidates have been invited to join a national science debate and all have declined. If we are to continue depending upon technology to better our lives then should their not be a deliberate strategy embedded in their political campaign platforms? Kennedy said let's put a man on the moon in 10 years and we did it. Which candidate has said let's develop Hydorgen fuel cell technology and the supporting infrastructure in 10 years and never use coal, oil or nuclear energy again? The energy lobbyists have a stronger voice to suggest that private enterprise will secure such a goal without government involvement or leadership. At what expense?Maybe given the environmental impact of factory farming is an indicator that this isn't working in the interest of the common good. With all of the modern advances in farm equipment, agroscience, and being more green-centric etc. maybe the time has come for the family farm to re-emerge? Thousands of smaller farms in mor locations mitigating the need for fast mass distribution of food via trucking and shipping. Put more food production closer to the consumption centers of large metro areas. This could actually boost our economy. Leave the largest factory farms to producing ethanol which is what looks to be the trend anyway that will likely just drive up the price of food indefinitely. Is it time to repeal hemp laws? Yet another opportunity to bring economic prosperity to the country for large numbers of people- hemp can be grwon without thc so why again is the plant illegal?Obama talks about change but change is more han a word- its a plan and its an action and it needs to be driven large communities of americans that cut across all economic classes if it is to serve the common good of the country. We should all be demanding the candidates and the media to amplify the discussions and add a lot more content to the how part of the issues instead of just the what and the why otherwise aren't we all as a nation simply going to be at risk of the same circus different tent after next November?
Posted By: Lisa on Friday, April 18, 2008
Obama's supporters and detractors are carried away by his rhetoric. I'm looking at his inability to fulfill his promises; i.e., he was voted in as Illinois' senator and has reneged on this pledge of service. I'm also looking at the people around him and thinking that-should he be elected-he'll have the same problems that Jimmie Carter had: no connections to the political powers that can really get things done. That, BTW, resulted in a growing republican trend in the electorate. No matter who gets in, it will be a lose-lose situation. But vote anyway: it means you have the constitutional right to complain about whoever wins.
Posted By: Gart on Friday, April 18, 2008
I speaking from and for small town, rural America and, yes, we're not only bitter, we're pissed..........big time! Obama is right on the money with what he said.
Posted By: Ed on Friday, April 18, 2008
The "first-time middle class" might be a little MORE bitter, but that sure doesn't mean those of us stuck in poverty-ridden rural communities aren't.
Posted By: Bob Johnson on Friday, April 18, 2008
What's wrong with being bitter??? "Bitter" is not a character trait! It's a way of being among the many ways of being available to us as human beings!! I can't believe that people are interpreting Obama's observation as an attack on people's credibility!!! You cannot attack a way of being!! I cannot attack you for being sad or unhappy if you are sad and unhappy. That would be nonsense! Why are people so defensively reactivated by Obama's remark?? What is so threatening about his remark?? The underlying truth of the matter is that we Americans have become resigned and cynical about politics. Don't believe me? Look at how many people show up at the polls to vote - be it a national, state, or local election. Numbers don't lie. And that's exactly what Obama's stand is about - bringing people together, having more people participate in the political process, and creating the genesis of a new direction for the future of politics in our country.
Posted By: JH on Friday, April 18, 2008
I can appreciate people getting riled up about "Midwest," "Mid Class," or whatever "mid" we're talking about here ... but I'm also a middle-class Midwesterner myself, and I can never see myself in the pictures painted by generalizations we see from Sen. Obama or from this writer.Isn't there a deeper problem than "mischaracterizing" a segment of the population? Isn't it the very attempt to "characterize" any large demographic of Americans? There is something so tripe about saying hundreds of thousands of people are "this" or "that," either "bitter" or "proud, hard-working, good ol' folk." Sorry, but plenty of Midwesternes are lay-about slobs! And many more drink lattes! And some are "this" and others are "that"! Just imagine!!!I like the way this writer finished her column far more than the way she started it. I can't imagine of what relevance her personal experiences with her neighbors has with regard to anything. She probably knew gay people and straight people. Tall and short people. True believers, pretenders and earnest atheists. And all in the same town, on the same block, in the same household - WOW!If demographics has any use, it's in identifying the policies (not the personality types) that will be impacted by the decisions made in DC. I don't know what difference it could possibly make if Sen. Obama or Sen. McCain thinks everyone west of Philly is a total inbred hayseed ... IF they implement tax policies that stop funneling all the nation's wealth into the hands of the wealthy few. THAT is what I want to hear about, not who "loves them some ol' timey, true blue Midwestern fellers" more than the other.
Posted By: jerry clark on Friday, April 18, 2008
I believe Ms. Sanchez is living is living in der Furhers bubble!
Ahh, Jerry just invoked the "Hitler Rule". Nothing posted in this thread can be of any value whatsoever now that a Nazi reference has been made.For what it's not worth, now that the thread is broken and all, I've noticed that there seems to be two runs of responses, those who didn't like Obama before and see this as just another reason to dislike his candidacy, and those who respond "Well, He's right, of course we're bitter...."
Posted By: RJ on Friday, April 18, 2008
Gee, I'm both a rural resident (life long) and a first generation college educated person married to a rural first generation college person.I have to say I never though of it until the remarks were made, but yes I'm bitter. I'm surrounded by bitter people, both educated and not. The tinkle down economics of the last 28 years combined with promises on social issues that were ignored the day after the election has caused deep bitterness.The guns represent a time past when a person could actually consider changing wrongs. Religion has gone two ways. Those that cling in desperation and a ready food pantry, and those who have fallen away due to the grinding of unanswered prayers.I can't see how the remarks could in any way be considered "elitist". They were an observation made after many months and many miles and many conversations.
An interesting blog from former U.S. Labor Secretary, Robert Reich about this topic:http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-bitterness-meet-press-and-old.html
Posted By: BILL HERMANSON on Friday, April 18, 2008
YOU ARE WAY OFF TRACK...SPLITTING HAIRS OVER BITTER, FRUSTRATED IS AN EXERCISE IN NADA!
Posted By: Bob on Friday, April 18, 2008
Apparently you forgot that Obama won Kansas, and by a wide margin.I, too, have family in central Kansas and they agree with Obama (on this comment, anyway). I am a central Kansas native who grew up in western Kansas and now live in Nebraska, so I can speak with some experience on this matter. Yes, we're bitter. Look at what has happened in this country, can you really blame us? I wonder why you aren't a little bitter yourself.
Posted By: Kevin on Friday, April 18, 2008
I am really fed up with people like myself who judge a president by how much like us he is. Guess what? I don't want a president like me! I want a president who is of world-class intelligence and leadership ability and candor and articulation. Yes, our president should be elite compared to most of us. He or she should be able to say things that we don't like to hear; he or she is our leader, after all, and probably so because he or she is better prepared to do the job than are we! Wake up, Americans! Let's get us a president that we can look up to and can stand up for us!
Posted By: frederick jennings on Friday, April 18, 2008
Ms. Sanchez: Gary McCoy's (cartoon) Interpretation of Obama's comments are as far off the mark as any thinking person could be!
Posted By: KJames on Friday, April 18, 2008
It's time to let this go. Between Hillary's being under heavy fire and Obama's bitter townsfolk, let's just talk about the issues. These were simply gaffes. If we want to talk about something, why not talk about McCain's misspeaks, for instance. As in "Iran is training Al-Quaida fighters and sending them to Iraq," which was not true. The issues people. The issues!
Posted By: Roy Stur on Friday, April 18, 2008
There were four substantive ideas contained in the comments to this point. Thank you for those. As for the rest? Enuf already!
Posted By: Miriam Wilson on Friday, April 18, 2008
I am from a town, and a state, that has suffered unemployment and plant closings. Anyone who knows someone who has been laid off because of a plant closing after working there for 10, 20 or more years must have been touched by anger and bitterness. I worked with people who were affected by these closings around the state, and in my experience, the feeling of anger and bitterness was the first reaction. The lucky ones were able to recover and do better, but the others are still trying to get back on their feet.
Posted By: Kerrie on Friday, April 18, 2008
Oh Puhleeeez! I'm one of those people that Barack Obama spoke about and I think this is so overblown it's pitiful! His words were taken out of context. I carry a gun, I am a Christian and I'm bitter about what this current administration has done to all of us hard working honest small town folk. There are less than 3000 in my entire county. Get over it!
The comments on immigrants or only partially correct. The towns with immigrants do prosper in comparison, but comparison to what? In comparison to the towns around them today, yes. In comparison to what they were before supply and demand drove labor prices down, NO.That slaughter house you mentioned filled with working immigrants: Thirty years ago it paid Americans $17.50/hr. in union wages plus benefits. Americans could dream that such a job would send their children to college. Today due to supply and demand of labor, that slaughter house pays $9.50/hr few benefits. A drop by almost half not counting inflation.Sure the store keepers now speak English and Spanish and welcome both, but they are not prospering as they did when supply of labor forced living wages.
Posted By: Shawn Manley on Friday, April 18, 2008
Rarely do I disagree with Cagle Post, but this time it is you who have missed the mark. Barack is absolutely correct. I can't tell you how many thousands of time in my life that I sought out my church & God when things were going wrong in my life. It is when hard times come that I especially need to speak to my heavenly father. I have often been taught that it was a dangerous thing to upset holy people of God because when they are upset they go on their knees and pray. It is during those times that I have seen mountains move in people lives. Perhaps, the thing that is most mind-boggling, are his approval numbers. The numbers keep going up and up and up. It really doesn’t take a Christian more than a second to figure out that with each attack by Hillary and her camp or McCain and his camp a whole new round of prayers are offered up on behalf of Barack. His call to serve is a bit of a fairy tale as Bill Clinton said, it is one that has been orchestrated by God. Barack understands that his words are important for God through words created WORLDS. Barack is not so presumptuous to believe that he is God but that he being a child of God has the same rights and characteristics as his heavenly father. Some call him an empty suit, but those who know the Lord call him an empty vessel clean and prepared for God’s use. So stop trying to bring him down with these picky-unny falsehoods. Be ever so mindful that the people of this great Nation are praying for God’s help and deliverance from such a destructive republican regime that is concerned with big business first then the state and the people last. “We the People of the United States of America” have had enough!!!!!!
Posted By: Lynne on Friday, April 18, 2008
To Mary Sanchez: Blah, blah, blah, blah . . . . .
Posted By: DHFabian on Friday, April 18, 2008
So...we aren't supposed to be bitter about seeing our government take our money, giving it to corporations to move our jobs to foreign countries? It's the changes caused by progress that are the problem, but all the taxpayer money that our government gives the richest few, at the expense of everybody else. It's about corporate government working to keep wages so low that we can't afford to buy the very things that we produce! It's about the loss of unions, sinking wages, disappearing health benefits, etc. It's about government raiding the social safety net funds to finance years of massive tax "relief" for the rich. It's about government utterly disregarding the common good, essentially spitting in the faces of citizens. Bitter? Why, whatever for?
Posted By: Robert Lucien on Friday, April 18, 2008
The real fear surely is that whoever is elected for president wont matter because a lot of the power is broken anyway. Bush and the NWO have weaved their spell and its all to late, you cant just reverse 20 years of decay. The real problem is globalisation and once we (the whole west) were broken and bust it was to late. How's that for bitter? and I'm not even American its exactly the same here in Britain.
Posted By: Eileen on Friday, April 18, 2008
Nicely put. Very articulate. Yes, the current middle class is made up of those at the top of the blue collar and the emerging white collar. Yes, frustrated, but bitter, no way.
Posted By: Marc Milton-Talbot on Friday, April 18, 2008
Obama's been tiptoeing through a verbal minefield for months.I marvelled at how skillful he was at it.Well,now he's just stepped on one.Big surprise,big deal.Are voters looking for a saint for president?The Republicans will be looking for anything that they can throw at him hoping that somthing will stick and voters are dumb enough to be influenced by it,even such trivia as to whether or not he wears a flag pin in his lapel.Jeez!Well,go vote for Mc Cain if you want.Was it Disraeli who said that the people get the government that they deserve?
Posted By: Maggie on Friday, April 18, 2008
Hey, I feel bitter about Iraq, loss of civil rights, loss of habeas corpus, the national debt, the lying, the lying, the lying, the mortgage meltdown, the loss of jobs, the rise of basic costs like food (trivial but necessary), the loss of jobs, the loss of dignity. Bitter, bitter, bitter.
Posted By: Ted Gibbons on Friday, April 18, 2008
How can you trust a person that does not mean what they say; and does not say what they mean.Your past speaks more truthful of your future than the present.Wake up America the world depends on us!
Posted By: Cindy Bartosh on Friday, April 18, 2008
I am surprised at all of the posts that I am reading that defend Barack Obama's thoughts on the majority of his fellow Americans. For goodness sake, he is very liberal and was at home in San Francisco, the left, loon liberal capital of the world. He felt comfortable making this statement because he was in his element. He is an elitist, very far left, and will say anything to make this go away. He is the one who does not understand people. His words were not a mistake. How can twenty years with a hateful man as his mentor, his pastor just go away? You really believe he never believed the hateful things Wright said? He must have had a belief in this words as he let this man baptize his children and let his children attend these "religious" services. How can the dissertation his wife wrote regarding the oppression of the white man go away? These people only started liking the rest of us because they want the Whitehouse. I am sorry, but I want someone in there that has never been ashamed of America and who doesn't make fun of the rest of us, you know the ones who have a gun, the ones who hate illegal immigration, not immigration, the ones who's antipathy has gotten the best of them. While I acknowlege that there will be some differences for quite a while because of the blatant racism in the past and how that takes a long time for the hurt to go away, we don't need this in our oval office. He will not pull us together, he will tear us apart. There is too much controversy surrounding this man from racism to his ties to a terrorist from the 70s.
Posted By: Carolyn Koppel on Saturday, April 19, 2008
Obama was not misquoted. But his meaning certainly was. What he meant to say was that in stressful times, such as many of us are attempting to deal with now, we who are hit hardest seek comfort in our various faiths, and fear the 2nd ammendment will be changed or eliminated. This makes sense in more rural areas, where firearms are a way of life.History teaches us that when a man who really cares about people, who has pure intentions and good character, comes along, he frightens those who hold power. It happened in Jerusalem long ago, it happened to a wise and wonderful leader watching a play in Washington D.C. And it happened to Sadat and Begin, both men of peace.You can listen to the verbose, drug addled bully, Limbaugh, or you can listen to your conscience and your heart.There is only one true leader in this race, and he is not called John or Hillary.
Posted By: Susan Ike on Saturday, April 19, 2008
It seems to me as well that Obama's comments were meant analytically, sociologically. When they were pulled out of that context they lost the compassion and empathy that were so much a part of the spirit with which they were said. I would warn Ms Clinton that Obama supporters are intense and idealistic. I think they are willing to lose fair and square, but if they conclude that Obama was somehow cheated and dragged through the mud, they will NEVER forgive her. Many of my Obama-supporting friends and colleagues quietly agreed with the "monster" word when it was used to describe Clinton. I'd warn her to be careful. This is a fragile thing, this regard that young people and new voters and disillusioned voters have for Obama, and if she is perceived as having destroyed him, she will not be forgiven.
Posted By: Stephen Barlow on Saturday, April 19, 2008
A) mr Obama has kept his integrity, never once mentioning that Hillary held the liar's hand on national TV and LIED. Second, he DID tell the truth. The fearful, unwillingtobeeducated DO find solice in the 2nd Amendment, Abortion, Affirmative Action, and other KKK style issues. Had the government (elected?) addressed the NEEDS of the people it was designed to serve acted appropriately... then low rent voters might be enjoying prosperity instead of losing loved one, or worse, caring for crippled loved ones from "the Second Vietnam" AND be a trillion dollars ahead with NO Social Security worries and a non failing infrastructure. Pull your self agrandizing head out of your self rightgeous ass, blow you nose, wipe your ears and know that thr Republican Rape of our (American's) well being IS the bitter fruit of the decade. At least Hoover didn't have the audacity to laugh in the faces of the Depression era homeless. "BITTER" Maybe Obama is TOO honest to be a 'good' politician, but then again, he's a Democrat. LOL He is the change in idiotology that has defrauded America since Reagan. What do the disenfranchised cling to? Other's to blame. "I want automatic deer rifles, so My kids can murder in school. Fuck math and science, never amounted to much anyway Praise God!" Grow a brain.
Posted By: Ron on Saturday, April 19, 2008
Cagle's web site is read by a lot of racist, stupid people. The first Black candidate to have a chance to be POTUs and the Klan lovers like Mike Lester and Gary McCoy show their bias. I am a 73 year old Korean war veteran and I have seen this country decline to the point of no return.People are willing jump at any chance to air their frustrations at the politicians when someone misspeaks. What about the loss of our civil liberties, ownership of our economy by the banks and credit card industries and big oil and the insurance companies,the decline in our health and educational systems, the pollution of our air and water, the growing gap between the rich and the middle class (forget the poor, God will take care of them,) the war on terror that will bankrupt this country, Iraq - another huge mistake, the loss of jobs and pensions, The right wing Supreme Court and here are people on your site who are as dumb and trivial as they want to be. Bitter? If you are not bitter at what a second = rate country we are becoming then you are an idiot. What this country needs is education about what is really wrong and not the trivia and insults that pollute the debate.
Posted By: Rodney Beattie on Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sen.Obama, made these comments without thinking, just as Hillary has made a few. The economy need's more then a quick fix. Our town has a steel mill and paper mill. Both which closed within a mater of months due to cheeper steel brought in from Germany and paper from Brazil. When you go shoping for your next car, read the pannel on the door:65% parts from Mexico or Canada. Your home PC the same (Except Apple). Almost all products made have componets made in other contries. This is due to the fact that the American worker has become so demanding that in order for companies to compete with the world market, they have to go to automation or have the parts made in contries who are eager to work and don't demand so much. How many Americans drive a car made in Korea, Japan or another country? We are to blame for our problems not just the Goverment; they have not helped at all, but I was born in the 50's when this country (America) was an economic leader. Now we have put ourselfs back into a ression due to what we precieve to be the American dream: two cars, a home...etc, the "Beaver Cleaver lifestyle". Myself and many (2478) friends and neighbors were displaced for asking to much from a company on the edge. We lost and the plant closed. Now, if you can get a job at a burger place you count yourself lucky. Next time you blame someone of a differnt country or race for taking your job, take a long look in the mirror.
Posted By: TJ Hamilton on Saturday, April 19, 2008
I didn't see Hillary wearing a flag pin either. Why hasn't anyone mentioned that? Or am I mistaken? That ABC debate was just too stupid. Bring back the League of Women Voters to run the debates....they might be boring but at least they would ask serious questions. The networks just want air time for their so-called "reporters."
Posted By: T Hensley on Saturday, April 19, 2008
There is a key tenet of life that many are missing, and that is, WHEN YOU WONDER WHY SOMETHING IS THE WAY IT IS, FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. It is why our jobs were and are outsourced, not because it wasn't possible to build a good product at a fair price, all the while paying a decent wage, but the board members and the stock holders and the market is set up to demand and be rewarded for a short term outlook. There is a nearly forgotten contrarian who proved this to a doubting world, anyone remember Henry Ford?It is why we have the most lawyers per capita in the world, it is why we were and are sold inefficient vehicles, you see the more gas we burn, the more money is spent. It is why you can purchase a diesel powered SUV in Europe that gets 30 plus mpg with great power and runs cleaner than a gas engine, but not here. It is why Toyota hasn't yet brought the diesel hybrid that can get nearly 100 mpg here yet.It is why the salaries of the people working for the likes of Blackstone, Bear Stearns, JP Morgan,etc are in the multiples of times or more than the declining middle class of America.It is why the Fed has been printing and dumping unprecedented amounts of currency into the banking system, to shore up the banks and the elite of the money handlers, to continue the fleecing of middle class America.It is why you can't get good health care for a decent price any more. (Unless you have nothing that can be taken away first).It is why the systematic destruction of the purchasing power of the dollar is happening with a wink and a nod, it is the only way the US government can ever hope to repay it's foreign debt, to simply inflate it away. Remember, foreign oil is denominated in U.S. dollars. What you see at the gas pump is the true purchasing power of the the U.S. dollar, and what has happened only in the last two or three years. By the way gold is at about 950 per ounce, three years ago it was in the 3 to 4 hundred dollar range.Our government and big business do not care about middle class america at all, other than the purchasing power it has and the money that can be taken from it. Long gone are the days of We The People. Our government is not about We The People anymore, it has grown so large it is nothing more than a self perpetuating entity, chasing power and money. It will crush anyone who will in fact endeavor to create any change, to protect itself. Sad to say, follow the money trail.
Posted By: Deiter on Sunday, April 20, 2008
Clearly there is a political divide that separates the areas Obama was describing with the more populated and urbanized areas of the country. We could argue why that is but the points Obama made aren't far off the mark in terms of the traditions of religion, guns, and political inertia in small rural towns. Maybe bitterness is the wrong word but the resistance to change--one could even say modernization--is obvious. That these same areas have proven impenetrable to democratic candidates is also true, Obama's speech was an expression of that frustration. Mary Sanchez is clearly a small town apologist and she takes issue with calling these inhabitants "bitter." (Full disclosure: I am not from a small town.) She goes on to describe the revitalization of these areas through immigration: Would she also have us believe that these same areas invited immigrants with open arms? (I suppose next she'll tell us they couldn't be happier with the cultural paradigm shift.) The voting records of rural areas in recent elections are a testament to this resistance. Mary chooses to see this through rose colored eyeballs. The issues on the horizon--climate change, peak oil, immigration, gun crime--are going to carry these small towns into the future and no doubt it will be kicking and screaming. This fight does not end with Obama. He just had the temerity to acknowledge that it even exists.
Posted By: Jean on Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ms. Sanchez, what IS wrong with being called "bitter"? People ARE bitter (as some have admitted here), and it's NOT just the middle class! Those below middle class must be even MORE bitter--AND angry. So, why is being called "bitter" such a big deal? Is it because OBAMA said it?? I say, "Call 'em like you see 'em." Shawn, thank you. Religion IS a good thing to cling to (and many who don't cling to their religion DO cling to their guns). Also, on that "religion" note, please stop whinning about Obama and Rev. Wright! Do we really think the Clintons' minister was any better--he who is incarcerated for molesting children?? Whine about THAT some, why don't you!! And maybe, we should check out McCain's ministers, too!
Posted By: Coonie in SC on Monday, April 21, 2008
I think this article said exactly what I was thinking when I heard Obama's remarks. Fortunately Mary was able to articulate those feelings far better than I could have. Thanks Mary.
Posted By: Karen in PA on Monday, April 21, 2008
Wow....how can you take a 10 word sentence and turn it into a long, opinionated, boring column that is repeated, repeated, and then repeated again? I do live in a small town and I am very bitter, frustrated, aggrevated, and disillusioned. And personally I think Barack Obama is the closest thing we have to a solution. Furthermore, I am very tired of having to hear Senator Obama apologize repeatedly for something SOMEONE ELSE said. Rev. Wright was expressing the frustration of HIS OWN life. I am white, middle class, and from the northeast, but even I understand that any black person who lived through the years that Rev. Wright experienced has to be cynical. What we need to be focusing on is how to change that cynicism and stop making Obama apologize for going to church.
Posted By: James IN AR on Monday, April 21, 2008
Me? I'm bitter, anti centralized powerful government, do not own a gun, anti boarders, atheist, and a Obama supporter. Lets allow reality based conversation.
Posted By: Dauric on Monday, April 21, 2008
It would seem that relatively few people take objection with Mr. Obama's analysis. As any 12-step program will tell you the first step is to admit that you have a problem. We need politicians that can talk about problems before we can have actual solutions, having politicians that tell us nothing is wrong or blame other countries for our mistakes.Old manufacturing towns are dying off because the people who worked those jobs are not keeping up with the modern skill-sets. We need worker retraining programs to keep our workforce up-to-date with changing technology, and technology changes constantly these days, it's a fact of modern life. We live in the future now, with all due respect to Mr. Lincoln "the dogmas of the past are inadequate to the stormy present."
Posted By: normfromga on Monday, April 21, 2008
Actually, as one who moved from PA's rust belt, I thought his off-the-cuff (and, supposedly, off-record) analysis was right on.[And I am not sure why any Christian would be offended if they were described as "clinging" to their Bibles in times of tribulation. Surely that is more "Christ-like" than clinging on the public teat.]
Posted By: Patricia on Monday, April 21, 2008
It is really to bad that the issues are not the primary focus of the elections. My Daughter is studing to be a journalist at Norfolk State University and my Son a Mass/Comm major at Barry University I hope and pray for them that someone like Obama will pave the way to getting this country back on track. Any one the is running for public office, is put under a microscope about one sentence,one miss speak, one wrong move, not the issues that I am concerned about, universal health care, social security, raising cost of College, these are the issues I am concerned about. I really hope you know that the American People are starter then the media gives us credit for. We make our own decision based on what is important in our lives and our families live.. Not what we saw on FOX,MSN,CBS,ABC or any other broadcasting company. We know the media spins either to far left or right and most of us are in the middle. We care about how the world views this Great Country and we need to get United because divided we will fall. Sad about it in Seattle
Posted By: Reine Bethany on Monday, April 21, 2008
Magnificent article, Mary Sanchez!Obama's self-contradictions keep oozing forth. I hope he reads your article and gains soem common sense -- enough to see how far removed he himself is from the reality of many of his hoped-for future constituents' lives.
Posted By: Kathy on Monday, April 21, 2008
You are so right. When I first joined the work force in a full-time forever way, I earned $4,200. I thought that if I could reach $25,000 I would be truly wealthy. Higher education beyond high school was not a necessity and way out of my means, as it it today, so while I received a good education and have been able to work, I am now a dinosaur in my field (clerical/secretarial) and believe my age is not getting in my way of continuing to strive for a living income. I was 22 years married before my husband and I could purchase a home and we fight ever day to keep that privilege. I have written to candidates and expressed my true concern for my future and fear that for the first time in my life I feel I have absolutely no control over my future and know I will have even less over my retirement. Fear was never in my vocabulary, but escapes more frequently into my conversations these days. Thank you for speaking for those of us lost in the fray.
Posted By: Barbara Morris on Monday, April 21, 2008
Marry, re. "Bitter remarks"The truth is that no matter what Obama said, y0u never would voted for him.Your remarks, are simply a negitive ad!
Posted By: Long Sigh on Monday, April 21, 2008
I just re-read the article after reading these comments. My question: how do you get "smug" and/or "elitist" out of telling the truth? As one poster observed, if you're not bitter, then you're an idiot. Look around you; it is what it is. I have a much greater issue. EVERY SINGLE ONE of the politicians (in power or out), whenever they make a public statement (or a "private" one) refers to "the American People". Are you not also Americans?? If not, then why are you talking to me as if you are? And if, indeed, you ARE Americans also, do you not relize how incredibly smug and condescending THAT sounds??? To paraphrase: Before you trip about the mote in your neighbors' eye, you need to remove the beam from your own."
Posted By: Gale Wilwerd on Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What Obama said was true and you know it!! My inlaws live in rural Northern Nebraska and they are working class, gun toting religious fanatics who all voted Republican last election because some Republican moran told them that the Democrats are going to take their guns away and not allow prayers in their schools. Yes they are bitter about their economic situation and yes they are idiots who will vote based on fear and the willingness of some postering ass like McCain and Bushit to say that he accept Jesus as his savior. And yes it is obvious that those who make an issue about Obama's comments are little more than unthinking reactionaries!! Face it; given that mentality, we will surely get another crapolla Republican next election!
Posted By: Victoria on Friday, April 25, 2008
I cannot express enough dismay that anyone actually has hope in this elitist and crooked snob. How utterly sad. You are a dust-mote in his eye. When/or if he gains power, he will set to make himself wealthy, you will not be remembered. This man's character reeks. From time to time the veneer lets out this sort of fart. Its the reality of the man. H.E.L.L.O.
