Is the "definition" of "America" really "going out and making money?"

[Syrinx]

If that's true, I'm disillusioned and disappointed, though hardly surprised.

I was taught (brainwashed?), in my youth, that being an American was all about being free and honest, and if the occasion arose, about being brave.

And my distaste for Mike Barnicle is well-documented on this website.

Yet, I was warming to his comments this morning when he was commenting that Sarah Palin was not a serious person, nor a serious candidate for any high office, much less for president.

But then he went on with something that made kind of sad.

Barnicle advised Palin to give up any serious aspirations for high political office, and to simply continue her mission of griftopia, and make as much money as possible, because "that's what America is all about."

I don't know if I should be proud of Barnicle for being a truth-teller. I'm sure he didn't mean to be a truth-teller, as he is a liar and a plagiarist by his genes.

Or should I be sad that what he said was exactly the truth.

The United States Of American has devolved to this.

A good fifth of the country would actually elect such a dim bulb as Palin president, while at the same time, the media faces continue to flack for the ruling plutocracy that continue to beat the drums for the anti-patriotic themes of generational theft, and the continued dumbing-down of the American voter... if in fact the votes mean anything at all, anymore.

My hopes for the Democratic American experiment are flickering and dimming, I must admit.

[RadiationTherapy]

1. Good morning and Roll Tide.

Yes it is goal and purpose of being 'american'. I am not certain there is any other unifying principle that speaks to a large segment of our population. We have all been so disillusioned about our role in the world as a nation.

[Syrinx]

2. thanks, and good morning to you too

Personally, I think that is a sad foundation for a national identity, but for worse, I guess I'm stuck with it.

A better one would be beating the Tigers.

Just kidding. :)

[ret5hd]

3. "going out and spending money" is probably more apt, judging by the trade deficit.

[xchrom]

4. +1

[kentmagner]

5. Definition of America

I really feel that what we are experiencing now with the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, reelection of Republicans, Citizens United is the last gasp of a dying dinosaur. Many people are uncomfortable with the changes in the past decades: civil rights, LGBTQ rights, antiwar sentiment etc. It seems to me that a lot of the appeal for the Tea Party is to people who are losing their sense of identity and are trying to return to something simpler (simple minded?). Thus, anti immigrant, anti health care, anti entitlements, pro war, anti gay, racist, anti UN etc etc etc. I think that the essence of progressive thought is inclusion and that we need to keep our hope and compassion and sense of humor.