Why Is America So Content With Mediocrity?
I had intended to write this entire piece and then go back and remove the 'g' from every word that ended in one.
But then I thought that would make me a churlish, smart-arsed, lefty stereotype and alienate the very people I want to try to hear me. (Although I imagine there ain't gonna be many of them readin' the huffpost, huh?! Wait for the audience to realize they should clap and/or boo, nod, smile even more, carry on.) Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Ok, this is basically it: Over the last few weeks I have watched with mounting bemusement as John McCain and Sarah Palin have constantly referred to the American work force as the best in the world, how America is a force for good in the world, how America is the best at (fill in the blank here depending on who you're talkin' to, wait for applause, wink, smile, and on).
You know what? I'm sorry to be blunt, and I wish it were not true, but America isn't any of the above. Its poor downtrodden, unhealthy, under-educated and depressed workforce cannot surely believe it towers above all others in some sort of World Worker Idol type way? If so, why are its bosses firing so many of them and giving the jobs to people in other countries?
And although the notion of America being a force for good is noble and beautiful, the reality of how the world sees America is very different: America is an imperialist power that invades oil and mineral rich countries on little or flimsy evidence, and at the same time turns a blind eye to blatant genocide taking place in other parts of the globe. Perhaps if Ms Palin had a passport before 2007 and had a little less xenophobic viewpoint, she would have experienced, as I have, the terrible sight of American friends of mine being afraid to open their mouths when abroad for fear of reprisal for their nation's 'force of good.' (And I'm not talkin' about scary, rearin' their head places like Russia or Iran. I'm talkin' about in like cool places like London.)
This country is a mess. It is entering a depression. It is waging two wars. It has an administration so blatantly corrupt that the world is baulking at its arrogance. It lets its poor die.
And on top of all this, one of the presidential options available to its voters - although having cynically plagiarized its opponent's keyword of 'change', and positively wearing its flaws and shortcomings as a badge of honor - is actually endorsing the past eight years and playing down the gargantuan problems!
Now I understand that election stump speeches are partly about trying to make people feel better/confident/happy/deluded but I am really shocked that a political party in a country that so trumpets its democracy and freedom is offering its voters such a shoddy product, and WORSE, they are still buying it!! (I thank you, my fellow Americans!)
So why? Is loyalty the value that Republicans vaunt above all others? Above common sense? Are the right of America all colluding in a giant version of the Emperor's New Clothes?
When I encountered a Republican TV pundit at a party in New York last week I reeled off my litany of reasons about why I feel the appointment of Sarah Palin is a disgrace and a terrible blight on America's history, and I was met with a thin smile, a nodding head, maybe even a nascent wink and the line: 'She's learning.'
She's learning? (Gosh yes, she's only been doin' this for, what, five weeks? Smile, shout out to class 3, ignore question, on.)
I actually have so much sympathy right now for the hundreds of Republicans out there somewhere - well intentioned, well-informed, prepared, lucid for goodness' sake - who must be utterly furious that they were overlooked for the VP post. Imagine being a doctor and thinking you're about to be made a partner in the practice and then the receptionist who's a big fan of Grey's Anatomy gets it over you and we're beginning to understand how those poor people must be feeling.
But back to the Republican pundit: I then moved on to say why I thought the policies - the policies, remember those? - of the Obama-Biden ticket were better for America. Again the smile, a little attempt at an argument in that she wasn't sure that all those great ideas could be achieved, to which I responded that yes, in the light of the economic holocaust caused by the greed and corruption that her vote had validated, perhaps these plans might take a little longer to implement now, but didn't she agree with the thrust of them? That crazy, trying to help people who weren't doing so well thing?
She looked at me, a little hurt.
'You're not going to say you're a fiscal conservative, are you?' I asked.
'Actually I was going to say I'm an economic Republican,' she smiled. Checkmate, I could see her thinking. But I wasn't done.
'You know what I think a fiscal conservative or an economic Republican means?' I asked. 'I think it means you are clever enough to agree with the notions of what Obama stands for, you'd love everyone to have access to healthcare and good education and to be treated equally...'
She was nodding slightly now.
'But when it comes down to it, when you're in that polling booth, you actually think 'Screw them' and you vote with your pocket. And I think you use that phrase as an excuse to not care!'
She looked a little taken aback. I thought I might have gone a little too far. But no.
'I love your passion', she said and turned to her colleague. 'We should have him on the show.'
You see, I think that when it comes down to it, American politics is split into people who think it's their duty to care about other people, and those who think it's every man for themselves. That's it. That's why I think the system is systematically flawed and is in dire need of a third party to shake things up a little.
But I digress. I truly think that Americans, some Americans, are comforted by mediocrity. Even those who have been battered the most by the last eight years can be reticent to the idea of change, because they are told to fear it and to leave things as they are, sit down and open a six-pack and forget their troubles. And so, all the more reason to take our hats off to Barack Obama and the Democratic party for making that scary word the touchstone of this election campaign.
I have lived in the United States for ten years. When Obama began his presidential campaign I was so inspired that I decided to start the process to become a naturalized citizen of this country. I am, at present, a resident alien (or green card holder), which basically means I do everything here -including pay taxes - except vote.
I wanted to become a citizen in time to vote on November 4th, but the immigration system of America is a little slower than it was when I first came here and I will not be sworn in properly in time. However, the point is that I want to be a part of America's future, of its potential, because I am fed up with mediocrity.
Obama has a combination that is rare in a modern politician. He has the rhetoric and the charisma to inspire whole swathes of the hitherto dispossessed to engage in the political system. And he has the real-life experience of prejudice and poverty to both understand and make people trust that he understands their needs and his desire to help them. But he also has the intelligence and the sophistication to deal both in big ideas and incredibly detailed plans. His election campaign has been a model of harnessing a generation's desperate desire to be heard and making them integral to the future of our society.
I hear him and he makes me excited about the prospect of being an American, an American that looks out for other Americans, in an America that is indeed a force of good in the world.
(Smile. Wink. Thumbs up. Wave.)
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I keep asking those from other countries if their homelands are as knuckle-headed as ours and have been assured that yes, they are. Prejudice and bigotry exist and mediocrity rules in most places, it seems. We can argue until we're blue in the face, but uplifting a population from mediocrity will take many generations and a resolve of leadership. Until we have consistency at the top making education, health and personal and national growth priorities, mediocrity will remain the status quo. It's easier to gain power when the population is mediocre.
However, every other country is worse in that regard. Look at Venuzela and Argentina. Look at the UK.
To Messy: Do YOU have a passport? Ever been outside the U.S.? Seems maybe not. If you have traveled, perhaps open your mind's eye and ear next time. Plenty of other places besides the U.S. are just as free if not moreso.
To Alan, in case you're browsing comments: Enjoyed and agree with your insightful and entertaining posting. BTW, you bought my artwork from the set of Spy Kids - thanks! I exhibited two other similar but larger pieces in Bush's Texas governor's offices (Laura invited me in) for three years, including during the (sigh) 2000 election. Actually, I'm selling those as presidential historical items. If interested, I'm at http://lar
Sorry, but that's a myth. It would behoove all of us to bear in mind that we have been lied to about even the most basic truths.
Don't get too excited about Obama. While I think he is the type of leader that can inspire and motivate the masses in this country, I also think he is destined to be attacked and torn down at every opportunity by the neo-cons and racist radio commentators like Limbaugh. I hope that the country can rally around the next president-elect regardless of who it is, but given the hyper-polarization that has spread like a cancer throughout the whole of American society, I regretfully doubt that will be the case.
Many of our elections have been more adversarial than this one. After it's over, people will chill out and go about their normal business, regardless of the outcome.
sad, but true. we used to count down the days of bush's administration, thinking a massive weight would be lifted for all the day the next president, whoever that would be, takes the reins. i think we all assumed whoever would be the next president would be lightyears better than W. but the polarization, anger, hatred, fear, etc. has created an atmosphere that will not let relief and recovery happen in a meaningful way.
obama stands a great chance to win, assuming the racists don't destroy us. i feel very little relief at the prospect of a President Obama because, as you said, mlweaver, so many people will do everything they can to break him down in an effort to discredit him as having been a poor choice. god forbid we give the man with the ideas a chance to better the lot of all of us.
to the republicans, this is a game. it's only about winning the competition that is the election, not actually winning as a nation in the game of reality. republicans should be begging forgiveness for the obliteration of our so-called national greatness, and just accept that it was their leaders and their votes and their methods that broke our backs. instead they seem emboldened to perpetuate the downfall of our society.
"American politics is split into people who think it's their duty to care about other people, and those who think it's every man for themselves
Yes, you have hit the nail on the head, but I tend to think of it in terms of the social contract. There are those of who believe in the value and necessity of a social contract and there are those who interpret the social contract as the lazy poor stealing money from the responsible workers. In the final analysis, "united we stand, divided we fall."
Part of the picture is decades of relentless propaganda demonizing "socialism," "Marxism," and "Communism
You can care about anyone you like. When you start expropriating funds from some people to give to others, that's a different matter entirely.
Until the day that the government needs to expropriate funds from other people to give to you or someone you love (your aged parent on Medicare, for example). It works both ways - that is why it is called a social Contract. I give to you and you give to me.
stupid is as stupid does
The vast majority of people everywhere since time immemorial have been comforted by mediocrity--not surprising, since the vast majority of people everywhere since time immemorial have been mediocre. The gravitational pull of mediocrity isn't an American problem or a 20th-century problem. In any country on any continent in any era, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" will out-gross "L'Avventura" and Barbara Cartland will outsell James Joyce. Once in a while, a someone comes along who can move the masses to rise above mediocrity and aspire to something finer. Democrats are hoping that Obama can be such a figure; the Republicans hope that we're willing to once more comfort ourselves with the blandly familiar.
I am presently in the Philippines. A regular wage of a college professor is roughly $300 a month. That is sufficient to pay for rent, food, transport, and yes, even entertainment. So you see, the amount is just sufficient for the standard of living in this country. Watching a movie on IMAX cost seven bucks. Rent roughly costs $120 a month. A typical complete meal cost a dollar or even less.
There are many call centers here from the United States which pay roughly $150 to $200 a month to my Filipino brethren employed in such companies. If these companies were in the U.S., they would be paying probably $1000 or more a month for each employee. Now you know how greedy many of your CEOs are.
A decent college education here costs $600 for one semester. Is the education good? Well, let me put it this way: Many of our teachers with Master's Degrees migrate to the U.S. and are now teaching in your high schools. And there are many nurses who were educated here and who are now employed in most of your hospitals, and may of them are now pretty well off-- many of them have two or more houses even.
I hope that this could serve as a reality check . Is there any way to maintain a high standard of living without having to spend so much money on health care and other basic necessities?
Yes. Learn a skill that people pay a lot for.
I hear Ringo Starr is looking for an assistant to look after his fan mail.
Good article. Thank you for writing this perspective.
Worshiping mediocrity is an extension of the anti-intel
......c.f.
Other countries -- like the UK -- are fanatic about Formula One -- and whatever genre of music their garage bands are cranking out at the moment.
If democrats win without fighting for gay causes, I think you'd be better off staying a citizen of your home country, which does a lot more to recognize and protect its gay citizens than we do. Obama wants to leave it up to the states to decide if people like you and me should be treated equally or not. A decidedly republican position if I've ever heard one. Why vote for republican lite when you can have the real thing?
If the "gay agenda" includes COOPTATION of the WORD "marriage," your judgment MAY have merit. The "gay" cohort would have avoided much controvery by adapting some word or phrase from classical Greek--or even Sanskirt--to describe their personal associations!
If the American worker is the best, most productive (blah blah blah) in the world, then when doesn't McCain insist that he be paid accordingly?
Moreover, if American citizens are the best public and private workforce, it seems only logical to conclude that our problems are the sole responsibility of our leaders. Ahhem (clearing throat), I'm looking in your direction, Mr. 20+ years as a senator...
SOME American workers may be productive, but they're LEAD(???) by a generally overpaid bunch of cunning goons, i.e., U.S. upper management!
Thank-you.
About being content with mediocrity:
There is something reassuring about dealing with someone we consder inferior. That's why petting a dog reduces our stress level, and that's why many people voted for George W. Bush. Twice.
Given our cinycism and our distrust of government, we want the dumbest people there, so they can do the least damage. Looking at George W., I feel relaxed. If approached by Bill Clinton, I would go hide my daughters.
Given our distrust of science and knowledge, we tend to favor amateurs and intuitive characters that think and look like we do. Like they said in the Daily Show, "I want somebody like me, or worse."
I hope the current difficulties shake us into understanding that we need people better than us in leadership positions. And finding politicians that have both brilliance and character, that definitely should help.
"Distrust of science and knowledge"? A "given"? Are you out of your mind? Speak for yourself, please.
Tho his record already says it well enough, GWB might respond thusly: Mediocrity is much more comfortable, and makes it easier to get things done.
"So why? Is loyalty the value that Republicans vaunt above all others?"
Yes.
America is like a family with a parent who has a severe drinking problem. Democrats are the kids who love that parent and want that parent to get help. Republicans are the kids who shriek at the Democrats and deny that the parent has a problem.
This is a very accurate analogy. I would extend this to say that Republicans are more like the 5-6 year old child, who's love of parents is without condition and purely visceral, without the slightest contribution of intellect. The Democrats are like adult children who have acquired a greater understanding of what is happening to the family, and how the parent fits into the world at large.
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