Elitist My Ass

It has been awhile since I've been back to my hometown near Detroit, Michigan. I took the kids there in early 2007; the cold and unemployment were a stark reminder of why I left.

The abandoned buildings. For Sale signs. The way the road goes from smooth to bumpy when you cross the state line. Boarded up windows, failed 'revitalization' efforts. Friends laid off. Friends looking for work. Friends moving to get work. Family leaving, family staying, family commuting to other states for part-time jobs and part-time pay.

Make no mistake, I LOVE my hometown. I LOVE the Midwest. I think anyone and everyone should live and work and grow in these cities and towns-but understand when I tell you that Senator Barack Obama is DEAD ON when he talks about the bitterness of residents.

Are you hearing me?

This former Midwest girl is telling you Obama is not being 'elite' or 'out of touch' -he could NOT be MORE in touch. He's LISTENING and understanding that many of us who moved away and many of us that stayed are angry, frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned, and UNEMPLOYED.

In what world do Obama's remarks constitute 'looking down on'? I'm sorry, Senator Clinton-but are you HIGH? I am watching you right now, speaking in Indiana on CNN, and you are 'somewhat taken aback' by what Senator Obama said. Are you unaware that when life is as bad as it can possibly be, people turn to religion? Are you unaware that frustrated individuals tend to take up arms when they feel their very well being threatened by their surroundings?

Senator Clinton, let me be as clear as I possibly can here:

Barack Obama is giving voice to millions of us by speaking the TRUTH. He's simply vocalizing exactly what I hear from my uncle, from my high school friend, from my former teacher, from my now re-located parents. He is speaking about what he's heard, what he's been told, what he has seen.

Senator Obama's remarks reminds me yet again that he is one of us. He GETS IT. He knows that I LEFT Detroit. I AM BITTER. I AM PISSED OFF. THERE ARE NO JOBS IN MY HOMETOWN. I couldn't move my family back there if I WANTED TO.

When I do take trips back home it is depressing. My husband NEVER wants to visit because he can't stand how dejected everyone is and how run down the whole place seems. Are there some amazing neighborhoods and jobs-- of course. Is it horrible everywhere -- of course not. Is it worse there than in many other places in the US-damn right.

Do you think I like living 3-thousand miles away from my family and friends? Do you think it's fun for me to watch everyone I know get laid off, go into bankruptcy, lose their house, work two low paying jobs, move into their parents home? Do you think I am NOT bitter about any of this?

Spin it. Go ahead. Talk about how those remarks make him seem elite and condescending. It is so absurd that it only confirms for me that you and Senator McCain are COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH with what REAL Americans think and do and want.

I would suggest, however, that you take your rhetoric elsewhere. Because the more you yap about Obama being 'elite' -- while he's talking about how we really feel and you're releasing $109 million tax returns -- the more stupid you look.

Comments

[kettletop]

His biggest mistake is that he told the truth.
His greatest asset is that he tells the truth.
This is what makes him different. Genuine.
And you are likely not the only one who sees this.
Elitist? That's Hillary and McCain trying to tell us how to veiw him.
Hillary Stop. Hurting. America.
We are bitter.
Very bitter.
Bitter because the Supreme Court sold their souls to elect W,
Bitter because we believe you would sell our souls to win the election.
Barack OBama gives us hope that we can believe not just in himself but in ourselves again.

[SeriousBlack]

Concisely and eloquently put.

[paragrafH]

Perfectly said -- both you and the original blogger.

[AsaNisMasa]

As a midwesterner stuck in Michigan..­.I can tell you that this is the truth. I talk to fellow students at college and there's an overwhelming sense of both bitterness and helplessness to change the way things are.

[cliffprice]

Thank you for calling it as it is. I can't believe that Clinton, McCain and the MSM are so out of touch with our poverty class, which, by the way, is growing in our "wonderful" country because of our totally inept leadership.

[castlerider]

This is the kind of post I turn my computer on and dial in Huffpo for. ...
It absolutely makes my day.
Thank you Erin, you just about brought tears to my eyes, because I love my country, and I hate what these sorry bastards that Hillary, Bush McCain, and all those neo-cons have turned this country into.

It's funny how telling the truth may look like a mistake at first, but then it actually, really sets you free, and the better comes from it.
Things always have a way of turning out for the best.

[Michale32086]

I think I am in love with you... :D

Seriously though.. You have hit exactly why Obama is such an inspiratio­n... It's like he is NOT a politician at all..

I admit that I have some reservations about Obama. I am hoping he can assuage my fears about his lack of National Security experience­...

But I see in Obama the CLOSEST thing we are going to get as a "Jack Ryan" in the Presidency­...

Michale...­..

[ObserverinVancouver]

Somebody should take you aside and explain to you the world accordingly to Tom Clancy. And Jack Ryan is one of the scariest parts of it if you really pay attention to some of his opinions about govenment and politics.

[Michale32086]

I respect your opinion.. I just disagree..­. :D

Of course, we're talking about a fictional character, but I liked Jack Ryan's view that a government should actually serve the people and not itself. That "professional politicians" are an impediment to good government.

I disagree with Ryan's views on abortion and such, but that's not enough for me not to like and identify with the Jack Ryan character.­.

And I do agree that Obama's lack of National Security experience is a far cry from Jack Ryan. I am hoping that Obama has the good sense to surround himself with good Defense people to advise him..

Maybe Jack Ryan for SecDef?? :D

As I said, we are talking fiction here, but did you notice the similarities between VP Ed Kealty and President Clinton?? :D

Michale...­..

[FearlessFraz]

BRAVO!!!!!

[DoninJoisey]

I agree. I've been outsourced - still have a job, but was "sold" to another company. Others lost their jobs, people I've known for years. Most people I know are bitter, working harder just to stay even, no sign of getting ahead.
Government is owned and run by corporate lobbyists. Clinton and McCain are funded and campaigns run by lobbyists - don't people see that? FOLLOW THE MONEY.

It's time we have someone who speaks truth to adults. Too bad some can't handle that, and prefer hearing empty promises.

[MPeter]

Thanks Erin. Obama promised us a different kind of politics, the honest kind. He speaks to us with respect as adults. Hillary and MCcain--mi­llionaires­-- are now calling a man who was raised by a single mom elitist--the one man who rejected Wall Street dollars and volunteered in the rundown industrial areas of Chicago to help those laid off from closed plants elitist!!! Thank you Erin.... Help stop Hillary and her ilk in the Republican team from derailing the Democratic Party. Hillary is MCcain's running mate. She is not a Democrat any more.

[Tejano1]

you're right on the money, erin. i trust that americans will see the hypocritical, craven spinning by mchillary to be as grotesquely cynical as you've pointed out.

[BadChristian]

GREAT post.

Thank you Erin.

[NorVaGal]

Erin: You have expressed the gist of Obama's statements beautifully. And, things will continue to be this way in cities and towns across America until citizens elect public officials who are not afraid to challenge the status quo. America's problems have to be tackled using NEW ideas, innovative technologies, and Americans putting America FIRST. Once our own house is in order, then, we can again reach out to the rest of the world and lead. But, when America is weak, so is the world. Divided we fail. Obama says, UNITE!!!

[SouthwestBlue]

Of course Hillary is high. She'd have to be to tolerate this crap life we're subjected to in the Midworst. Mom's dead, Dad's in Arizona, Brother's in Las Vegas. Do the math. How do we immigrate to Sweden? Or Canada?