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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Mr.Cumming
I sympathize completely. I'm 53 years old, and I'm a first-time voter. I came to this country 30 years ago, and I didn't feel motivated to become a citizen or to vote since this election.
Fortunately I got my citizenship on time. As a matter of fact, I already voted.
For the first time in a generation, this country seems to be moving towards that shiny ideal we associate with the United States of America in the rest of the world.
Because the majority of Americans are dimwitted? Because the majority of Americans priorities are ASS BACKWARDS? Because the majority of Americans have become pacified, sound bit driven, cowardly, and truly are just plain dim?
'I love your passion' ;)
I also think that since 9-11 Americans stopped caring what foreignors thought about anything.
The xenophobia kicked in. So you would either get ignored or patronised, 'I'll get you on the show' is instantly turning you into the monkey. You can tell America what you think and everyone can throw things. Palin is the pin up girl for all this....
The American ego got wounded badly on 9-11. It's a narcisistic wounding that can't handle criticism.
But maybe now everything's falling down and maybe if Obama gets in...
Maybe it will be a change for the better...
I hope.
nice write. thanx
"I also think that since 9-11 Americans stopped caring what foreignors thought about anything.
The xenophobia kicked in."
We've never cared what foreigners thought about things, except in passing. We've always put our own interests first -- except when we are honoring a defense treaty, as we did when we came to the rescue of Kuwait -- for example.
"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
As much as I agree with that statement Alan, the same case can be made for the Human Race in general , can't it? I can only wonder if by having only the option of two parties it becomes inevitable that people do divide along those lines, and ultimately to a good vs. evil perception as a result.
My condolences that you won't make citizenship prior to the election. May I offer you an early "welcome" then for when you do? Welcome New American. We need more citizens with a critical eye.
I am as frustrated as all of you, and I'm not able to sleep...li
I don't know the answer, but I am certainly am weary. I will continue to support the child, in the form of my vote for Obama. However, we all have to grow up and take responsibility for acting like spoiled babies, with no consequences for our behavior. It's time to grow up and admit that we don't know everything and to be humbled by this financial/global crisis. Hubris...
Thanks Alan.
I doff my cap to you, the salubrious Alan Cumming, and to those postings who join your chorus! We don't condone deserve the reputation of mediocrity, and appreciate your well-expressed exposure of a nasty condition in our States, revealing an un-United condition. It's what many of us - and no wonder there are so many voices of agreement - have observed with growing dismay.
Now, we need a clear vision of how to right the Ship (that's a 'p,' not 't') of State! I believe we heard an economic guideline that is a beginning, with Senator Obama’s proposal this morning. With Senators Obama and Biden at the helm, we have a chance of recouping our imbalance and regaining our tarnished reputation, showing the world that we are not a country of intolerance and narrow-mindedness!
Thank you for voicing the expressions of so many!
Hopefully recognizing our sludge of mediocrity will precipitate change, for its tolerance condones broken systems such as health care, an example of society’s erosion.
Acceptance of a 6-pack mentality, as our pentacle of achievement (that’s become symbolic of ordinariness) is demeaning. It’s acceptance that we’re the only developed country, except for South Africa, not providing health care for all its citizens. Lowered standards accept our infant mortality rate, highest among the OECD countries, a shocking indictment of the earth’s richest country.
Similar numbers emerge for our education system. Embracing single mindedness equals contentment with the U.S. slide into 3rd world status.
When considering someone an ‘Arab’ is negative (or worse) is beyond ugly! For all our good, ours has been a nation of intolerance (witch hunts, Native & African American, WWII Japanese persecutions).
Americans seen recently condone stupidity, clutch ignorance like a trophy, and wear a medal of global unfamiliarity. Crowds trample progress, shake fists, and yell epitaphs at those who promote expansion beyond their narrow-mindedness, as something they don’t want to be bothered with. In nescience, they criticize someone’s correct pronunciation; unaware it reveals their stupidity! Intolerance is using ‘religion’ as a badge for unenlightenment. They’ve waved the white flag, surrendering to ignorance, bowing at shrines of commonality, showing resentment for someone informed, who’s seeking higher goals for our nation.
This societal slime has many of us are feeling lost in our country. It’s a reminder - November 4th - an opportunity vote - integrity and hope!
"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?"
because people in other countries will work for 1/5 the price? and if Americans tried to work for the same lower price, they wouldn't be able to afford rent or basic necessities, and would starve to death in a gutter? cost is the main reason for offshoring, not necessarily overseas workers being more skilled than American ones. to be sure, some are -- yet plenty aren't. read Jonathan Tasini and David Sirota's articles on this site for a nice debunking of "The Education Myth".
in late 2007, a United Nations study concluded that American workers were the most productive in the world. and the UN isn't exactly giddy about America, in light of recent years.
Furthermore, the workforce in the UK is even more downtrodden, unhealthy, undereducated and depressed. And bigoted. Even the so-called top British Universities are considered second rate by world standards. Considering the size of this country, we do a pretty good job in making the good things available to our population.
I think we'd be a heck of a lot smarter if we didn't spend so much time mindlessly watching movies and looking at television. To the extent that we may have declined, it's the fault of Hollywood and its adjuncts.
You broke my heart at first Mr. Cumming. I know that the rest of the world looks at us with thin lips now, I know that for years we've settled for less when we could have had more, could have been so much more. Like you I believe part of the answer lies in a viable 3rd party if only for the leverage it would wield, or the bat it could swing. I feel ashamed that we've let ourselves go this way and it's sad to be reminded of it.
But when you wrote at the end that you actually have applied for citizenship, that in spite of it all you actually want to be a card carrying member of this dysfunctional but really very wonderful society (when we remember to be wonderful) I felt some hope come back. I feel it from Obama and now I feel it from you.
More people should have been speaking out to remind us of who we are and what is acceptable and more importantly what is not. There's this quote that keeps popping into my mind when I hear the voters would give us 4 more years of unacceptable. I don't know who said it. "There are the people who eat the earth. And then there are the people who stand around and watch them do it.". We've been standing around watching. You've been watching us standing around, haven't you?
Thanks for being blunt. It's a time for being blunt.
a wonderful piece mr cumming - thank you! i too moved here 10 years ago and so have lived through what could be some of america's darkest years. and i'm very tired of it. to me, it seems like a waste of time to live my life with people I don't respect. that's how i feel now - am i wasting my time here? i think i'm nearing the end of my limit, and, although i love mr. obama, i somehow can't see any single person being strong enough to effect the change that would make this place a progressive culture worth living in. there's too much ideology that's rooted generations deep.
i recently shared with a canadian friend that i found i very difficult to find people with whom i could share a satisfying and meaningful conversation here in the states. he reminded me -- you have to pay for education here. when we did our university degrees in canada, they were very cheap, very good, and a broad section of society took advantage. that's not true here - and it shows. i believe that if america is to become a place where people can have meaningful and satisfying lives, then education is the key. it is the only thing that will wipe out the bigotry and fundamentalism and ideology that is the hallmark of our lives in this election season.
thanks again for your article - !
As a person born here I ask you not to leave.
It is the new citizens from around the world who continue to renew the good of America. My wife is from canada and is now all American just like almost all of us. My family line is Irish, english, finnish and maybe more, and this is America.
Well i think the trend to mediocrity is a frightening alarm. How many moves have we seen about totalitarian/fas cist or dictator rule, where the people are kept docile and obedient by...
Suppression of free thought, big ideas...an
Of course republicans want to glorify stupidity. That is how they keep their sheep.
I don't think you should try to discuss the "suppression of free thought" at HP. What a ridiculous notion it is to bring up suppression and censorship here.
The people who denounce intellectualism want to send their kids to college.
The US has adopted mediocrity, while still wanting to be on top. Very paradoxical. What frightens me is this "elitism" cry by the GOP. They insinuate that intellectualism is this horrible, awful thing. The uninformed, non-thinkers are much easier to manipulate.
Thanks for trying to become a citizen. We'll have one more 'thinker' as voter....w
I have a friend - a Republican, but he's voting for Obama this time - who thinks the Wall Street Journal is almost too left-wing. This guy makes well over $500K a year ... and he told me once that it is the liberals who are elitist. He's not just saying it ... he believes it. I think he lives in a bubble.
Rich Conservatives have turned their flock into a bunch of whiny, cry babies. They complain that they pay too much in taxes yet make excuses when they are shafted by Big Corp. It's OK for Big Corp to rip us off and steal from our government coffers, but heaven forbid an unqualified child gets undeserved health care on the backs of the people.
I believe in a well regulated free market as much as the next guy but if I hear one more conservative go on about tax cuts bringing in jobs I'm going to puke on my TV screen. We've had tax cuts up the yin yang for the last 8 years. Where are the jobs? Why the dramatic reversal of fortune for the American worker?
Business is not going to add workers just because there is an extra line on the frikken tax form. I'm not going to go out of my way to ad the extra burden of labor just because Uncle Sam gave me another deduction. No business owner in their right mind would. Business is not driven by taxes, it's about supply and demand.
These corporate tax breaks are not for small businesses, they are for creating larger loopholes for Big Corp. Big Corp had consistently paid the lowest actual taxes in US history over the last 30 years.
Cutting taxes is even more dangerous because it starves the local and state budgets, thereby driving up local taxes or drastically reducing state services.
Trickle down economics DOES NOT WORK. It has only increased our national debt by trillions of dollars. Just look at the increases of the national debt under Reagan, Bush 1 and Bush 2. They have put us in the poor house. Without a strong and prosperous middle class we will not have a strong economy.
I know of a lot of people including family members who pay no attention to what is going on in the U.S.. or in the world. Their main source of information are emails. That is how false information about Barack Obama is spread. It is nothing short of disgusting.
This current economic crisis and it's periphery are glaring proofs that Laizes Faire economics is a failed lie.
We Americans need to be ashamed when a guy like Mr. Cumming speaks Our Truth that we know but won't gravitate to it so eloquently.
We've become a country of superficial and greedy people whom do not care about the poor or the hurting until they're shamed in front of the world by the likes of Katrina. Only in the face of disaster does our common sense show up, but late.
Hats off to you Mr. Cumming and thank you for our dose of medicine. Problem is will we take it November 4th?
Well said
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