Punished for the Truth

Here are the controversial comments Barack Obama uttered in San Francisco. "You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them...And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Inartful. That is the only fair criticism of this analysis. Let's ask the voters in Pennsylvania these questions. If the 'distracting' issues of guns, gay marriage and abortion were all resolved to their liking, would their economic lives change? How about immigration? If all illegal aliens were to disappear, would those rust belt jobs return? For so many years, such issues have been used to corral blue collar workers into a party and political philosophy that serves the elites in this country. When someone speaks the truth and acknowledges that this sector of our society has been royally deceived, that issues they rally around have little to do with their ultimate welfare, it is time to banish such a person from the campaign trail.

Heaven forbid we should suggest that bitterness might exist in this country of such optimism or that this emotion might be an appropriate and effective reaction to current circumstances. Hillary Clinton countered with this statement. "Well, that is not my experience," she said. "As I travel around Pennsylvania I meet people who are resilient, optimistic, positive...If we start acting like Americans," she said, "and role up our sleeves, we can make sure that America's best years are ahead of us." McCain's spokesman chimed in. "It shows an elitism and condescension towards hardworking Americans that is nothing short of breathtaking...It is hard to imagine someone running for president who is more out of touch with average Americans."

Are you kidding me? Pulling the curtain back on a very effective political trick, the old bait and switch, is far from elitist. Americans are working harder than ever. Two job families are the norm. Yet the poor and middle class are falling further behind. What is breathtakingly condescending is watching two candidates stroke this group with platitudes about their being tough and resilient. What exactly has that gotten them? Nada. The real stereotype Clinton and McCain are playing on is that blue collar workers are easily manipulated and will 'stay down' if you just tell them they are hardworking, patriotic, value-driven Americans.

It is time for these people to get mad. Illusion may make us feel better, but it simply serves to keep us tilting at the wrong windmills. It is time to embrace the truth and turn that anger, yes bitterness, on those who created such conditions. The alternative is to pat ourselves on the back for our optimism and 'can-do' attitudes while politicians in Washington laugh at such naivite and continue on their destructive course.

Comments

[jazzman]

In America, unlike authoritarian countries, people are free to be moral or not to be moral. Because we don't have a nanny state, its up to individual believers to teach the immorality of having an abortion and persuade their chidren to make the right decision. Because we don't have a nanny state, it's up to gun owners to teach gun safety and make sure that their children respect firearms. Because we don't have a nanny state its up to the individual to choose how and when he or she worships.

When politicians manipulate conservative voters they are actually using a very anti-american strategy to drive wedges between people who should live in a society where persuasion and public square of ideas is upheld over repression and coercion.

Meanwhile the province where government should have sway, trade agreements, health care, defense, fiscal policies, health and safety regulations, the things that really affect people daily is not even considered by those most effected by it. In this sense, politicians keep getting people to vote against their economic self interest. That's whats wrong with Kansas, Pennsylvania, and every other place where people vote gays, guns, and God.

Incidentially, people behave in a more moral fashion when their economic issues are taken care of. Less abortions, rape, muggings, theft, murders, etc. If you want a moral society, fix the economics of these small towns. The churches and preachers can do the rest.

[jazzman]

The irony of this whole event amazes me. Hillary and McCain, the two real elitist, look down on the people of Pennsylvania so much that they think they can easily manipulate them with this dirty political trick.

Her ploy shows a lack of respect for these people. Let's hope the working people out there don't prove Hillary and McCain right. Because if they do, they will never be treated with respect or concern again. Only when politicians figure out that people have had enough, are mad as hell, and aren't going to take the manipulation anymore will they actually do anything. That's what happened during the depression, with civil rights, and with the Vietnam War.

Obama is staking his campaign on the belief that Americans are actually proud of their country and want ot make it better and aren't willing to just sit by and see their lives decline as jobs, pensions, healthcare, education, and opportunities become the province of the rich only.

[ElliotNC]

It's ironic that Obama is lambasted for what his supporters insist is "the Truth," (i.e. that many middle class "folks" are bitter).

Ironic, because inconvenient truths rile the masses.

How much mileage did the Obama campaign get out of their indignation over the "truthiness" of Geraldine Ferraro's comments?

They launched a series of over-the-top responses within moments of the Drudge Report releasing a well-circulated of Obama in a turban, just because Drudge claimed it came from a Clinton worker.

Those scathing tirades were carried around the world, when the chances are better than not that it was planted by the Obama campaign, in order to ridicule Clinton.

The list is long, but the point is that the things that wind up biting you in the butt are probably not the things for which you deserve the bite.

With the help of the media, Obama has gotten a free pass on a lot of things that should have blown up in his face.

Maybe he is getting more abuse over this item than he deserves, but what goes around comes around.

He has been the prime beneficiary of playing the thin-skinned victim. It's called "Karma."

[utd]

You are talking about retribution not balance. Karma is not about retribution. Please don't use ideas about religions you don't understand and probably have no respect for, to argue for that vile human being. Thanks.

[Jeradlangley]

HERE!HERE!

[GuyInNC]

Ms Crier tries to pull yje same "fast one" as Ms Smiley. Make it appear that Obama said exactly the opposie of what he said. Turn around the cause and effect to make it sound better.

Obama didn't suggest thatsolving the social issues would fix the economic issues as Ms Crier asks of blue collar voters. Just te opposite. He suggested the economic issued caused the voters to become more concerned about social issues.

Obama knows nothing about the people of PA if he believes that a good job would make their concern about their second ammendment rights go away.

This is similar to the lack of understand of the average person in Iowa when he asked the farmers there is they were aware of the price of arugula at Whole Foods.

Out of touch......

[Shashi0224]

Does anyone really listen? Barack stated that because those in PA are frustrated that neither party has helped them economically - including the Clintons, that is why they can be persuaded to vote on issues such as guns and abortion. They feel that voting for their economic benefit is useless. This is absolutely true. The truth is sometimes uncomfortable and I applaud Obama for having the integrity to stand up and say the truth in spite of the ridiculous spin the other candidates and the media are giving it.
Come on fellow Pennsylvania voters. Let's show them we can't be manipulated by the Clinton machine and the media.

Vote Obama!! Then, let's get to fighting McCain after Hillary goes back to the Senate1

[AjicNYC]

" they can be persuaded to vote on issues such as guns and abortion" sorry he never said that at least not in SF. HE never said anything about VOTING records he was talking about "THESE PEOPLE" on a personal level!!!!!

[meanguy]

let's see now:
"And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

"antipathy to people who aren't like them"...took me a few seconds to break the code, but ONLY a few.
i WILL give obama credit for the MOST polite way i've seen of calling the american middle class nothing more than an intolerant bunch of gun-toting, bible thumping, xenophobic bigots. i'll try to be as polite when i go to the polls this november and, for the first time ever, express my fond hopes for a speedy return to his previous job to a democratic candidate for president.

[NightRider]

XENOPHOBIC BIGOT? those are your words. What's the matter? Your comprehension skills are failing you? No wonder the GOP can use wedge issues to divide and keep people like you in the dark. There are more intelligent bunch out there who understood the comments for exactly what they are. In going after Obama, people like you are not giving a lot of credit to the good people of PA who knew he was speaking on their behalf since no one else dare to address their economic plight.

Likewise, Hillary, in calling Obama an elite because he spoke in California. Did she not carry California? Are the people of California elites? When the same comments were echoed on the Charlie Rose show in 2004 on PBS. Is the PBS viewing audience elites?

You are scraping at the bottom. You can waffle your way in la-la land but i suggest you get up to speed with the issues and don't allow your own biases to cloud your judgment.

Here are the same comments from Obama on PBS. Watch and come back and tell us who is the elite here.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6oGF3cyHE7M&feature=bz301

Now watch Bill Clinton make the same exact argument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYi_qNWdjgw&eurl

Sounds Familiar?

[meanguy]

if you enjoy having someone pee on your shoes while telling you it's raining, that's your right...me, i may have been born on a thursday, but it wasn't LAST thursday...your 'obamessiah' is just another political hack, playing the same games as so many before him, counting on america's fascination with slogans and empty promises to propel him to the white house-it's at least as cynical as anything his opponents have been accused of; maybe more, with the added wrinkle of 'if you criticize me, you must be a racist' that his campaign has been utilizing from the start

[coolaid]

You do that and watch the what's left of our jobs go to hell along with the military (what's left of it). Whether it's McClinton or McCain, neither will bring an end to the Iraq war and neither will prevent more free trade deals from going through giving away the jobs of more working people.
It's people like you who keep voting for wealthy aristocrats like McCain and Clinton that keeps us in the mess we're in.

[cbatwins]

Who is the real "elitist"? This woman has made 109 mil and stiffs poor small business owners, colleges, high schools, and even here own "working class" employees by not paying their health insurance. That shows how she really feels about the working class.

[cbatwins]

I absolutely loath Hillary and think that her tacticts are deplorable. However I think that this latest incident and the way Clinton has responded will actually pay huge dividends for Obama. This will highlight the distinct differences and leadership styles the two have. Now that the light has been put on the entire "working class" issue it will give Obama the opportunity to really point out that he is more like them and show them how they have been not been voting in their economic interest. Since this has gotten so much attention it will force the "working class" to actually pay attention to what he is saying. Clinton has provided Obama with the perfect assist by backing him into the corner like this. She would have been better served by being quiet. She would have gotten the working class vote anyway. Now she is giving Obama the stage to do what he does best, deliver another dynamic speak on the "working class". Futhermore it will show Clinton for who she really is.

[northeast73]

However I think that this latest incident and the way Clinton has responded will actually pay huge dividends for Obama. This will highlight the distinct differences and leadership styles the two have
============

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!


You're funny.

[KerkorianKnot]

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian playing both sides off each other while America fights against itself.

[argent1]

Well Crier should Blue Collar folks apply as media producers and start drawing salaries and benefits far higher than what their present jobs pay? Oh, no room for them in the stratospheric city lifestyle with suburban homes and ballet and piano lessons for the kids who just want their video games.

No wonder they rather hold on to a real life of value to them - a small home, family and neighborly friends, a shot of whiskey and a few small thrills like a gun or a church social or a fixer upper car in the driveway they want to give to their kid.

But they're not supposed to be clinging to some old time sentiment, they're supposed to be catching up to the Chinese ethical system of fair trade, feeling bitter about their stock portfolios not performing the way it used to. Feeling a bit discouraged that their MBA degrees are kind of meaningless out in the prairie. What they are most bitter about is that it is proven over and over that there is no common sense or common spirit among the Washington crowd, which now includes the exultatious Obama.

[americansfordemocracy]

From: newpantaloons who stated:
" Yes, go see the movie, the "Deer Hunter" and you will see the background of people who continually vote against their best interests."

Thanks newpantaloons, by proving my point in making your own "elitist" comment. The point is, that who are you, in your elitist belief that these people vote against their best interests? What is in "their" respective best interests is for them to decide, not you! It is not for you to tell them what it is or is not. I think America is still a Democracy. Perhaps Obama's message has not carried through to them because they simply do not favor it, or that is does not contain specifics. But to cast them aside, for who they are, with roots of patriotism and faith, is not correct. Is it your contention that voters need to take a literacy test, or some kind of screening before voting? Pehaps people in small towns are turned off, simply because they are tired of hearing people tell them what is best for them? My broader point is that people have a right to debate without being attacked for what they believe, even though you personally may not believe in the same thing.

[sqweels]

"they are tired of hearing people tell them what is best for them..."

Don't they get that in church every Sunday?

And no, their obsession with gays and abortion, etc, has nothing to do with their own best interests because these issues are none of their damn business. It's just that they think they're crusading agains the Evil Forces that somehow threaten society as a whole.

[americansfordemocracy]

To the person that said: "Keith Olberman is a misogynist?" Let us get this right, Keith Olberman is actually mashugina, or perhaps a mashugina misogynist?

[HeadScratcher]

Ms. Crier, having read all of your posts here, I find you an extremely intelligent and fair minded woman. Hillary could take a cue from you on how to be tough, fair, and smart without pandering to the lower denominator. Thanks for your post!

[meanguy]

i guess to you, as well, as to ms crier and mr obama, the middle class voter IS the "lower denominator"...

[RRonin]

What Obama needs is to recruit Bruce Springsteen as part of his inner circle of advisers. If he can't do that, he should just listen to Springsteen's music. Replace "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" with "Born to Run". Have Clarence Clemons be his sideman. Or LIttle Stevie. Point out that "Born in the U.S.A." really is a protest song. he needs to find the darkness on the edge of town, or do some hiding on the back streets. But NOT ditch Michelle for a backup singer.

[DeSwiss]

You said it sister!!!

And I am bitter Hillary!!! :-(

[tangolopez]

That is so well written. Unfortunately, aren't the blue collar workers uneducated? I wonder whether they know how to read? Otherwise, why are they following Clinton and McCain like the blinds? May be someone should read your piece on TV or radio? Hopefully, they get the message? That's why the younger generation or the more educated support Obama. Because they read and are with it. Remember the media, mainly TV are telling everyone those support Hillary are uneducated? I cannot understand how anybody who has been grouped that way did not get up and rebel? But they have been submissive all the way from NH to Ohio. So sad!

[meanguy]

sterotype much?

[jsinclair]

Well put. And taken together with Obama speaking about it himself http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/watch-obama-on-annie-oakl_n_96459.html

this matter should be more than put to rest (regardless of what CNN's anchors and "pundits" keep spewing.) It would be nice to have a smart leader who knows we've got problems, cares about solving them, and has the skill (and even the good humor while being unfairly badgered--again) to keep his eye on the issues and the goals.

Hillary's tactics are so transparent. She never takes the high road because she's always calculating how many votes she can get from whatever she says (and she believes tearing your opponent down, Rove style, is the road to victory). Hopefully, PA will prove her wrong.

[meanguy]

well, at least she didn't take the 'obama high road' and demean the bulk of the american electorate...bitter? damned right-bitter that the party i've always supported is about to foist such an unqualified and unelectable phony on us as a candidate