Joe Conason: Whose Elitism Is Worse?

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



Whose Elitism Is Worse?

Posted on Apr 17, 2008
By Joe Conason

It is hard to blame John McCain for mocking Barack Obama as an “elitist” following that silly remark about bitter folks who cling to guns and religion. Rarely does the Arizona senator—one of the wealthiest members of Washington’s most exclusive club—encounter such a tempting chance to masquerade as a populist.

Making the most of that opportunity, elder statesman McCain delivered a brief history lecture to the young upstart from Illinois. “During the Great Depression,” he said in a statement released by his campaign, “with many millions of Americans out of work and the country suffering the worst economic crisis in our history, there rose from small towns, rural communities, inner cities, a generation of Americans who fought to save the world from despotism and mass murder, and came home to build the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.

“They suffered the worst during the Depression, but it did not shake their faith in, and fidelity to, America. They did not turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity. On the contrary, their faith had given generations of their families purpose and meaning, as it does today.”

Now this is all standard-issue rhetoric, designed to insinuate that Obama disdains traditional American culture and religious piety (although he probably attends church at least as often as McCain). Harking back to the era of the Depression and World War II, the Republican may have unintentionally emphasized both his own advanced age and the perilous condition in which his party and president have left the country and the world.

The inspiring story of the “greatest generation,” in which he seems to be claiming honorary membership, is not only a narrative of faith and patriotism. The brave men and women who rose from America’s towns and cities to defeat fascism had a stake in a democratic society “worth the fighting for,” to borrow the title of McCain’s last best-seller. Despite the terrible rigors of the Depression, they remained confident in democracy’s future because a progressive government acted vigorously on behalf of them and their families—and acknowledged their service when they returned from war. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080417_whose_elitism_is_worse/

[eleny]

1. Give it up, Joe

When you start acting like people in dire straits aren't bitter or angry or fill in your favorite word for "just plain fucked" - then you've lost touch.

Too bad you threw in with the losing side but that's what happened. Grabbing a longer shovel isn't going to help.

[zalinda]

2. The problem is McCain said

and let me remind you of it.........

Making the most of that opportunity, elder statesman McCain delivered a brief history lecture to the young upstart from Illinois. “During the Great Depression,” he said in a statement released by his campaign, “with many millions of Americans out of work and the country suffering the worst economic crisis in our history, there rose from small towns, rural communities, inner cities, a generation of Americans who fought to save the world from despotism and mass murder, and came home to build the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.

“They suffered the worst during the Depression, but it did not shake their faith in, and fidelity to, America. They did not turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity. On the contrary, their faith had given generations of their families purpose and meaning, as it does today.”

will be viewed as a compliment for every American that is suffering but is hanging in there. Where as Obama called them bitter. Let me ask you, do you like someone who gives you a compliment, or one who doesn't seem to think highly of you.

McCain just out maneuvered Obama.

zalinda

[Demeter]

3. All Those People Who Suffered the Great Depression Are Dead, Though

My father, born 1932, at the bottom of the Depression, only saw things get better. My grandfather, who worked the CCC camp, is mercifully spared reliving that horrible time.

[eleny]

5. My mom wasn't so "lucky"

When she was 14, in 1933, her dad died very suddenly. She had a younger sister who was 7. Mom dropped out of high school and cleaned houses because no one would hire her for factory work. Growing up, she told us the stories of trying to find work and even being chased out of a factory for trying.

I marvel at her strength of character and her working as a nanny or cleaning houses to help bring in some money to the household. But I'll never gloss it over. And I recognize the tough times the family had and what it took to put food on the table.

I hope stories of working in the CCC came down to you. It was very important work in my book.

[Skittles]

10. same with my dad, born in 1934

the effects of the Depression lasted long, long after it bottomed out in 1933

[Skittles]

9. ???

people born well after the depression bottomed out in 1933 still suffered greatly because of it - for YEARS

[eleny]

4. I appreciate a person who recognizes the facts

I recall another president saying "I feel your pain." Got a problem with that all of a sudden?

[zalinda]

6. I have no problem with that.

I'm saying don't under estimate McCain. It's a feel good message.

zalinda

[BB1]

7. I think you're right.

As a European outsider, I think McCain has made some pretty strong points. This one counts double, as you'll see.

Still, I think you'd be best of with a violent revolution which takes care of the the complete top layer of earmarking fat cats. In any case, the United States are no better than a banana republic, except the leaders don't get assassinated as much.

Aside from it all I think Obama is your best choice. although he still takes a lot of corporate money to fill the campaingtank, doesn't he?

(not really flame bait; I'm just a little strunk)

[febreze]

8. All Republicans are elitist

I don't know one republican whose main economic goal is to cut taxes for the rich and to limit regulation and overgight of big corporations.