Elitism as a Negative
Barack Obama’s recent “gaffe” where he stated that working-class families that were falling through the crack were “bitter”. Well now we’re off to the races. Nevermind that Bush had a far more interesting statement when he confirmed what we already knew about authorizing torture. That’s not news! No! A Presidential candidate said the following:
“So it’s not surprising then that 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,”
Guess what: he’s right. It’s how you get people to vote against their own self-interests. And as pissed off as I am at the media for trying to drum up some drama over whether or not this kills Obama’s campaign because after the Reverend Wright flap, his inability to bowl, and now implying that working class people might be slightly upset after being constantly ignored by their government, Barack Obama is clearly not fit to be President. And it’s the last two that really hurt his campaign because it means he might be ::cue dramatic music:: an elitist.
Elitist is the word stupid people use when they feel insecure about people who are better than them. It’s anti-intellectualism summed up in one word rather than two. And of course Clinton and McCain just jumped on this, both throwing down the e-word. Multi-millionaires, unless they won the lottery or inherited their money, are not allowed to call others elitist. They’re not allowed because guess what: you’re not the common man. You may have been at one point, but just because you suddenly want to slap on an orange vest and go hunting or you can hold a barbecue for you and your closest political press buddies, that doesn’t mean you’re now Joe Six-Pack and you’re going to be scrapping for the little guy the second you get your hand off that Bible during your inauguration.
But most importantly, why is being elite a bad thing when running for President? It’s the most powerful public office in the country and arguably the world. I don’t want any schmuck to run it. I don’t care how good he is at quarters and whether he or she would make a good hunting buddy. I want my President to be capable. America fell for this shit before. Twice. They fell for it when George W. Bush who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and went to Yale suddenly became a good ol’ boy saved by Jesus and could drink you under the table if he hadn’t sworn off the demon drink.
I want my President to be the best. Not the best bowler or the best hunter or the best grill-master. I want him or her to be the best person to lead this country. It’s an elite position by its very nature. Calling someone an “elitist” should be a compliment but I guess in a nation this fucking stupid, it’s an insult that could kill a Presidential campaign.
Update: As always, The Daily Show says it better than I ever could.
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