We're in Big Trouble

We're talking to ourselves.

And we're not saying anything that's going to help win this election.

Everyone who cares knows that Sara Palin is a born again, right wing Republican. That she's a right-to-life, anti-gay, anti-global-warming, book-banning kind of gal.

No one seems to care.

The package and not the content is what's attracting interest. How cute she is when she says it. How cute she is when she skins a caribou. How cute are those barely grown expectant children of hers.

My first instinct was to scream from the roof tops that no self respecting woman was going to fall for this McCain manipulation. But apparently, plenty have. Plenty share her views and the crowds and the TV ratings are growing. The same way they grow for American Idol and other reality shows. Seems like we would rather watch ourselves, however diminished, on TV and in the public eye than people watch people with actual skills and talents. Watching people just like ourselves eating bugs and falling into vats of peanut butter has become a favorite American past time. And apparently, we would rather have an ill informed, inexperienced leader than one with experience and education. Experience has been denigrated to the level of liberal as a word. It's to be laughed at and ridiculed. And a lot of people are buying it. And we're supposed to slink away, like the nerd in high school being attacked by the football player.

But this isn't high school and we're supposed to know better. We have got to take back these words and what they stand for. Leaders need to be chosen from the most talented among us, not from the bottom of the barrel. And we shouldn't be afraid to say so.

What kind of misplaced chivalry would keep the Democrats from calling Sarah Palin what she is? An ignorant, misinformed, inexperienced, bigoted fraud. And unless we find a way to do it, she will be running the country before we have time to turn around.

This will not be easy. I spent hours on the telephone to Ohio Democrats last presidential election. There was no way I was going to convince these working class Democrats that they were wrong to vote for Bush. Kerry scared them. And no manner of logic would turn it around. They voted against their own economic interests, against college for their kids, against their own medical care, against their first amendment rights. Why, because they had been told that Kerry was going to challenge their belief systems. He was "for abortion", "against the troops."

We're going to have to frame the argument in the same way. Who is Sarah Palin? A woman for sure. The package is nice, but the content is out of date and spoiled. If she gets anywhere near power we can expect global warming, the destruction of the constitution, the end of Choice, and books banned in our libraries. And we've got to make people understand this. And even if we can frame it this way, the question remains, are there many Americans who would care? Enough to sustain the constitution? Life as we know it?

I am terribly afraid that we are counting on good sense, and decency and it has gone the way of the ten cent subway ride. We are not thinking about each other. We are thinking about ourselves. Why else would we even consider a woman who tried to get her brother in law fired from his job for daring to divorce her sister. Who tried to get a local librarian to remove books she disapproved of from the library.

Politeness is not in order. We need to be scared. Terribly scared. We need to pull out all the stops. She's not going to self destruct in front of an audience who likes these things about her. Who abhors the clarity and thoughtfulness of Obama. There is no drama in it. There's drama in teenage pregnancy, political scandal and moose hunting.

McCain seems to have known just what he was doing. Now the question remains, do we?

Comments

[Catharina]

The US are still the military power No 1. But the Bush administration has neglected the American people profoundly. Take education for instance. I had a course by a guest lecturer from Harvard once, and even she was complaining about the horrendous study fees, and that they stand in no relation to the actual services and possible advantages you receive as a student. What I thought was interesting as well: she said that there are two good chances to get to Harvard: either you have the money and the connections, or you're extremely poor and talented. With the result that you won't find so many middle-class children at Ivy league universities.

European countries have their shortcomings too, be sure of that. We have dumb people too, and we're materialistic and capitalistic in every sense. But there's one thing that we don't have: religious, moralistic fundamentalists. Well, there might be some. But not in politics. They would be a joke, dismissed immediately. It's of no interest if the candidate's daughter is pregnant, got an abortion, the candidate is three times divorced... as long as he's got the skills and the program.

That's what scares me about the situation in America.
Choices seem to base on such irrational measurements.

PS: Sorry for possible mistakes, it's not my mother tongue.

[Catharina]

I'm a political science students from Germany, and have been following the primaries and the presidential campaign with eager interest. I have been been to the US three times and have friends there, all of them considerate, educated and tolerant persons. I like the US and its people are dear to my heart, although it's sometimes very difficult to understand their positions.

And that's why it scares me that there might actually be a chance of Mrs Palin to become president.
McCain has had its merits in the past, for sure. But in his age, it's unfortunately not improbable that illness hits him. And bang, here you go.

Unfortunately, from my European point of view, the USA is heading south.
This has several reasons, both external and internal.

Th world has changed fundamentally. We live in a multipolar world now, with China, India, Brazil and others on the fast track. I just can speak for Brazil: i have friends in São Paulo, and it's fascinating to hear how eager, how restless the people are to learn, to bring their country forward. I have heard similar things from Asia too. They just don't stop. In contrast, I get the feeling that America, who's "American Dream" implies just that message, is sort of paralyzed.

... to be continued

[realpolitic]

Palin will continually rob us of ur civil liberties to continue the good work started by Bush. But at least she will do it with a pleasant smile and a pleasing voice.

[Paralogos]

What I haven't seen mentioned on any of the Huffington Post blogs, but which was articulated very clearly by Obama's campaign manager in an interview with a British newspaper (the Guardian), is that, fundamentally, the Obama election strategy is based on the assumption that people will believe their neighbors more than they will believe what they see on TV, and that rather than go head-to-head in an "air war", the bulk of the Obama campaign's focus has been on building a massive nationwide grass-roots network of people going out and talking to their neighbors about the candidates, the issues, and the stakes. It's a strategy that has its risks, but it's probably a better bet than imagining that the Democrats can build a competitive slime machine in the remaining weeks before the election.

So rather than whinge on this blog that someone else should do something, get off your butts, get a stack of literature from your local Obama campaign office (or off the web), and get out there and talk to people. That's a hassle, and some people just aren't cut out for it. But consider just what a President Palin would mean for America and the world.

[Azrblogger]

In the remaining days the party with the least insulting campaign will win. Time is short and messges need to be brief and on message. This campaign is now the king of all reality shows. Until recently McCain seemed like MCBush, McSame,,,,now he doesn't. Note I said he seemed. Barack ran his campaign to win the democratic nomination. His message was the uplifting message at least half the party faithful wanted to hear.

The other half got another message.

Old people move to the back of the bus, sit down and shut up .

Obama abused the party. His history in Illinois and in the US senate remains a mystery. His image is a cross between JFK and a Denver weatherman. He's good looking and has a mid-western accent.

[docmaduff]

I have a formal REQUEST OF NAOMI FONER. You are right! We are wasting time talking to ourselves so I'd like to get out there and talk to those who need help getting the McCain/Palin Wool taken off their eyes. What we need are simple key talking points like a "Top 10 Dangerous Facts about Sarah Palin" WITH references to the sources of evidence to back up those facts. You make a lot of scary points in your article "We're in Big Trouble" and I'd love to believe you. So can you produce some links to those sources? This way when I go door to door for Obama's campaign I can hand out the facts and challenge fence sitters to look at the source on-line for themselves. We've got nice talking points to support our candidates but we're not working hard enough to take off the gloves, remove the wool and play this game aggressively enough to not only make sure people check the right box at the polls but make sure they DON'T CHECK WRONG ONE!

[PadrePio]

I'd add to this that it is more important to keep our eyes on McCain. We need a concise fact sheet about his tax cuts and flip flopping as well. Were do we find these things and why hasn't the DNC created them for all of our candidates running this year?

[pece]

Fear is the word, poeple in this country have history of being used by this, why? because of the demons that hide in their closest.... it will never change unless people face their past, it happened after the civil war and it is happening again. The really sad part about it is these same people who vote for her will look stupid and be out of work, no health care higher gas prices... and angry all over again will vote for the party that is dumber then themselves... bottom line the right do njot know how to run government , they know to cause cofusion, they know to lie. any fool can do that its like that old quote :the devil can quote scripture:

[nancinca]

you're right! Call Obama! This is ridiculous. I talked to a friend the other day who I realized she was American Idol sarah and that's it. that's our current state of mind. People are not going to think things through. Men think if they vote for her they can sleep with her.

[PoliticalPartyPooper]

"Men think if they vote for her they can sleep with her."

You mean we can't?

[boing007]

PoliticalP­artyPooper

"Men think if they vote for her they can sleep with her."

You mean we can't?

Aw shucks. What a bummer.

[doodlefarbe]

"Men think if they vote for her they can sleep with her."

Glad you hold us in such high regard. We have no brains, just gonads, right?

Hey, for that matter, why should men even be allowed to vote at all, right?

[Mesaywar]

Best post on the subject since Palin was chosen. Thank you for clarifying this issue for me in such a forceful and well-though way.
Now, how do we communicate this to the Obama campaign in a way that won't cause some to accuse us of having chicken-little moments; or remind us why Obama cannot be seen as an angry-black-man?
How do we get the point across to the powers that be that good sense, truth, and polite behavior will not win this election, no matter how superior the "ground-game" may be?

[Skua]

You DO realize that (if you read "The Audacity of Hope") the idea that it's possible to win an election using good sense, truth, and (reasonably) civil behavior is pretty central to Sen. Obama's own stated core political beliefs? That the belief that you have to be a cynical Pat Buchanan-style bar brawler to win an election is one of the things Sen. Obama most wants to change?

I'm not saying he's right, mind you. But in the long run, if we're as incurably vile and irrational a species as the Republicans believe, then we're going to die off pretty soon anyway, no?

[BAVirago]

You're right. We are in trouble. A party of multimillionaires and millionaire wannabes have convinced a whole lot of us that they have small town values. They want to sit down and have a beer with us, even if it means leaving their gated communities where they live to avoid having to rub elbows with us. Even the millionaire from New York has us convinced that Obama is too cosmopolitan to be president. (Of course we all know that "cosmopolitan" is Republican Code for Black. Translation: Obama is too black to be president.) These people have been raping the nation for years and they've come up for air long enough to ask with a smirk for more permission to continue to rape the country.

And we're going to give it to them.

I am ashamed for my country right now.

[SailFree]

Yes, I know it's "choir." But I coined a new term. "Quire" is the quagmire of your delusional groupthink.

[Rudderman]

My sweet old dog lays asleep in the sun as I watch a "Real Time" re-run. He does not understand what's being said or shown for he is mostly deaf and nearly blind and so, these days, responds mainly to imaginary threats. He has no open mind, he cannot think for himself.
He is a pack animal after all, and such creatures will follow an Alpha with a bone (or a bitch in heat) to the gates of hell.
Years ago, he was attacked by a Pit Bull and nearly died. As we are learning, this particular species they will gladly eat their own.

[Chicago1968]

The land line polling is all wrong. Old, white Fox news watchers mostly.
Don't worry people.

Obama 08

[allensf]

why do we democrats think so optimistically in the face of serious trouble? Bush was ahead of Kerry by 2% consistently in this same kind of poll. Bush then beat Kerry by 2%. The poll is accurate. Palin is what the freaks in this country want. The country will have to hit rock bottom before it changes. If I was single I'd immigrate; Liberalism is thoroughly dead and racism, religion, force, and reflex simple thinking are now the prized virtues of being "American". Obama's losing ground quickly and I don't see how he can win with the media that we have.

[Uosdwis]

If she wins, then we, as a nation, deserve the hell that will rain down upon us, literally.

[woodtrain72]

I have a nephew; he is 29 and has 4 kids under 12. He is unemployed, lives on unemployment, food stamps and Medicaid; his wife works as a cocktail waitress, supporting the family. He is for McCain and Palin. I had lunch yesterday and he said --I'm for McCain because I'm not a socialist. I said wait a minute-- you are on food stamps, have no health care and are living on unemployment. He said -- well I qualify what do you expect me to do.
I have been in a funk ever since -- everything he needs and his family needs is what Obama and Biden are about as are Democratic values. At the end of lunch, I thought I just don't get it and -- there's a mentality I don't understand --- this is why we have been saddled with Bush and soon McCain/Palin.
At work today, I spoke to a friend. She was out with another couple; both voting for the Republican ticket. The ticket has their vote because they don't want more taxes [they are middle class] and the husband thinks Sara Palin is great looking. Seriously.

[jacq8411]

what your nephew needs is a job. I would suggest the construction trades. They have apprenticeships.
Now for the rest of it. I am a blue collar worker electrician, Female, Union. I am voting for McCain, I was always going to vote for McCain. Like your Nephew I'm not Socialist and as long as the Democrats keep voting from the far left of their party they won't win. I'm telling you I work with hard core union members and they are not voting for Obama. It has nothing to do with his race either. It has to do with his "ideology". We don't believe him. We believe what he wrote in his book (before he was running for President). I keep hearing about the "rich" in such nasty terms. What a bunch of Sissy whiners we have become. "the Government" is supposed to take care of our every need. We have no RIGHT to Healthcare. We have no RIGHT to a College Education. We have no RIGHT to "Self Esteem". We have no RIGHT to own our own home. We don't have the RIGHT to the same outcome.I could go on and on. We have the individual right to make the most of our lives in this great free country. If I choose to buy a car with a 350$ car payment and decide not to buy healthcare MY PROBLEM not Bill Gates or the "RICH". Wake up people WE cant afford all these goodies they aren't FREE.

[rwe2late]

jacq8411
Read some history about Progressivism and unions. And the fight for union "rights".
Apparently you believe it is ok for individuals collectively to unionize to improve wages, job security, benefits, etc. But to collectively organize to improve wages, health and safety, environmental preservation, etc. through the government and regulations? That is supposedly not OK?
You have mistakenly accepted the lies and fraud of the ruling 1%, who now control more wealth and power than at any time in US history.
Your whining about the "far left" Democrats, freedom, and "socialists" indicate you have no real understanding of socialism, capitalism, plutocracy, or globalisation. Your support of McCain and militarism indicates further that you do not really understand our Constitution and what freedom from government oppression is all about..

[Joe Lauria - Huffpost Blogger]

If we stopped going to war and cut the defense budget in half, still leaving us by the far with the biggest military in a world with no national enemies, we could afford social progress and yes fulfill everyone's right to health care, education and renewable energy. Are you more interested in unjustified war than helping our own communities and citizens? Before you say it, terrorism is a problem for INTERPOL and the FBI, not the Marines.

[etcetc]

Goodies?

I come from a family that you would call rich, although we weren't always that way. We buildt ourselves up, American dream style. We would be taxed more under Obama. (making over 250K a year). Am I whining about paying more taxes under Obama? NO, I want to pay more. Why? Because it's no skin off my chest, and I remember where I came from. I also know that if we invest more in taxes now, my business will grow in the future.

The tax money goes to schools, infrastructure, healthcare.

If we don't invest in healthcare and education we will have a country with a sick and undereducated workforce.

We have the money for all these goodies

Have you ever been to Europe? The "goodies" you speak of are commonplace there.

You've been tricked into believing that you don't need these things, you should toughen up and go without, you should harden your skin. You've been brainwashed to believe that living through tough times is a badge of honor. I've been without and I've been with- I don't ned to tell you which one is better.

I love Americans. I'm not out for myself, I'm out everyone. You can accomplish great things on your own, but you can accomplish jaw dropping results by looking out for the whole.

[larryfishkorn]

Yep, that's the Republican way. You're on your own, which suits "the rich" just fine, so keep making excuses for them and continue to watch middle class opportunitites dry up.

No "right" to a college education? Are you serious? Don't spread your ignorance to everyone else. A free or reasonable colelge education is pretty much the only way to keep from the lowest wage jobs for a lifetime. Unless you own a convenience store, that's pretty weak. I think you'd have loved being a serf.

[Jezreel]

Precisely. You expressed the Republican view precisely. Poor people, the unemployed, the uninsured and the underinsured don't have a RIGHT to a healthcare - let them die - that will mean fewer people for us to take care of. They don't have a right to a quality education - let them remain ignorant - that will mean fewer people we'll have to compete against for those good ol' construction jobs - they don't even have a right to self-esteem or personal dignity and respect -that would force us to stop feeling superior to them.

Yep. You got it right - people should wake up because leveling out the playing field means that you will lose your right to claim you are better than other Americans and the rest of the world too.

[NJFamilyGuy]

Your friends does not want unemployment and foodstamps - he wants a JOB. Maybe he's voting with the party he thinks will help create those opportunities, not push them to another country because of taxes.

By the way, I've never heard anyone on the Republican side threaten to take aware social welfare programs. Heathcare was Billary's platform in 1992 and where are we now? Some of these issues are not quick fixes....

[MajorKong]

I'll match job creation under Clinton against job creation under Bush any day.

[chosenson]

Wait til he gets that DRAFT pick. There will be wars! Just as he said about welfare - he qualifies!

[justb4dawn]

I live outside America and am an avid follower of politics and history.To say that I am deeply unsettled and uneasy following the two recent Conventions is an understatement.The Democratic convention was high on glamour and promises and while it was to some degree light at the end of the long dark tunnel that America has placed itself in, the Republican convention was utterly frightening in its denial of reality.
Its mindboggling to witness all of this from the outside and it really has a lot of people here in Europe wondering if America is in some sort of collective breakdown and collapse similar to the end of the Soviet Union in 1989. Very few can believe that in our lifetimes we would see a government in America that has discarded the Geneva conventions,done away with Habeas Corpus, spies wholescale on its own people and is given Congressional immunity to do so (!),kidnaps people and imprisons them without charge or recourse to legal representation OR hands them to other countries for torture, suppresses media and public dissent in an identical heavy handed manner similar to what used occur in Soviet states.
The greatest failing of BOTH parties and candidates isnt their continuation of tired and disgracefully outdated and discredited policies,or their complete subjugation to corporate masters,the greatest failing is this-you are extinguishing HOPE and belief in democracy, not just in America but throughout the world and that is what is absolutely unforgivable.

[jacq8411]

If the Europeans had backed us up in the UN and with sanctions against Iraq we would not have gone to war. We have no allies over there and can't count on any help. We are tired of carrying Europes water. a couple thousand troops doesn't cut it.

[Jezreel]

Terrific. Blame the Europeans for George Bush's cowboy style, failed foreign policies.

[demigod]

Why should they have "backed us up" when the Bush Administration was lying to them - and to the American people - outright about the danger ? Who sat there and held up a vial of powder, who showed arial photos of chemical munitions plants when none of it was true ? Who talked about yellow cake from Niger and mushroom clouds, again not true ? The Europeans have had centuries of wars and invasions, they don't want more. We had plenty of sanctions against Iraq, we had Saddam in a box. He wasn't going anywhere. There was no excuse for invading Iraq, it broke international law. If we have no allies in the Middle East, we could ask ourselves - WHY ?

[RobLuzecky]

Many of the 'allies' did not back America in Iraq because there was no demonstrable reason for going in there. The weapons inspections were progressing, and nothing was found. You claim that the UN should have backed you up by imposing sanctions, but sanctions were already in place, and there seemed to be no reason to draft new sanctions; Blix's report was very detailed and quite forthright in its conclusions.

Moreover, given the remarks of the the infamous Downing Street memo, it was clear that America's posturing before the Iraq war was aspiring toward unilateralism.

[MajorKong]

Absolute nonsense. The Iraq invasion was a done deal as of spring 2002 and possibly earlier than that. The UN and sanctions were purely a political smoke screen while we positioned our troops.

We don't move 150,000 troops and all their supplies and support equipment halfway around the world without planning to use them. It costs way too much money. A couple carrier battle groups and an F-117 squadron would have been more than sufficient for a show of force.

When we start moving the heavy iron you know there's going to be war.