(R) Parker Brothers
I recently came across several folks making arguments that although the results of the election are now final, they believe Obama is still bad for America. When pressed why they insist to cling to this belief, their responses have been very telling. Instead of admitting they are wrong based upon reality (now that Fox News has proven to be purveyors of hate and lies), they cling to one premise and one premise only. That Obama is bad for them personally! But why do they feel this way?
When pressed further, they tell me virtually the same thing. Obama as president will hurt their pocketbook, their future and "their" country not because he cares about all Americans, but because he only cares about those seeking handouts. Huh? According to many of these folks, Americans that re-elected Obama are folks that neither create anything nor contribute to society in any way. Those supporting the President do so looking to their government to provide them with freebies and handouts that will lead to the ruination of our society and economy. One person went so far as to state very affirmatively,"there may have been social issues involved in this election, but so were economic ones, and I voted for Romney because he was going to protect my money!" "Romney was going to make the poor work for their money instead of handing it out." "And I am working very hard towards becoming the 1%, and my financial security is more important than those that don't work as hard as I do and don't care to."
This sentiment is exactly why the Republicans lost the White House and if they continue to cling to this ideology, why they will never again be a relevant political party on the national level. But how can I say this? Because their sentiment is wholly without merit. Yes, there are many folks scamming the system to get by, there always has been. But why do Conservatives believe only the poor and minorities scam the system when large banks and health organizations pay huge fines for ripping off consumers? Aren't they too ripping off Americans and our government? What about the corporate welfare we give to petroleum companies, even though their corporate quarterly profits reach Billions of Dollars? Why are they exempt from the contempt Conservatives view the poor with? Why is it more federal revenue sharing dollars go to the poorest states that all voted for Mitt Romney and have GOP Governors? Should we cut off all aid to those "scamming" states and their Conservative citizens too? More importantly, if the poor and minorities seem to take advantage of the system, don't the wealthy also take advantage of the system by using tax breaks and loopholes many poor are not eligible to take? The wealthy routinely take tax deductions for mortgage interest on second homes or boats or recreational vehicles, so why is that okay? Is it because the are being rewarded for being "successful?" But for every tax deduction taken by the wealthy, the Middle Class has to make it up with their taxes! And what about the inherent advantages the wealthy have when it comes to stable home lives, roofs over their heads, money in the bank, good credit (which leads to lower lending rates from auto loans, appliance purchases and homes), and access to quality education (which alone leads to higher economic success)? Why do Conservatives believe that they "deserve" better than the poor because they "earned it" when the poor aren't even given a fair shot at trying?
Which leads me to this conclusion. America is rapidly changing and the demographics prove it. Like the Nativists of the past, Conservatives complain that they are no longer in control of political and economic power and it scares them. Some actually are still in shock that Mitt Romney did not win last Tuesday (according to reports, this includes Mitt Romney himself). This election proved once and for all that the 1% that thinks of themselves and looks down on the changing face of America, are in denial of realities. When Conservatives wake up and realize majority of Americans want the American Dream as much as anyone else, we may be able to work together towards moving this country forward with further greatness. When Conservatives learn that the America Dream really means opportunity for ALL and not just for the few, we will ALL be better off. For my friends who fear for the future of our great Nation I say this; stop thinking in terms of "ME" and instead in terms of "U.S.!"
When pressed further, they tell me virtually the same thing. Obama as president will hurt their pocketbook, their future and "their" country not because he cares about all Americans, but because he only cares about those seeking handouts. Huh? According to many of these folks, Americans that re-elected Obama are folks that neither create anything nor contribute to society in any way. Those supporting the President do so looking to their government to provide them with freebies and handouts that will lead to the ruination of our society and economy. One person went so far as to state very affirmatively,"there may have been social issues involved in this election, but so were economic ones, and I voted for Romney because he was going to protect my money!" "Romney was going to make the poor work for their money instead of handing it out." "And I am working very hard towards becoming the 1%, and my financial security is more important than those that don't work as hard as I do and don't care to."
This sentiment is exactly why the Republicans lost the White House and if they continue to cling to this ideology, why they will never again be a relevant political party on the national level. But how can I say this? Because their sentiment is wholly without merit. Yes, there are many folks scamming the system to get by, there always has been. But why do Conservatives believe only the poor and minorities scam the system when large banks and health organizations pay huge fines for ripping off consumers? Aren't they too ripping off Americans and our government? What about the corporate welfare we give to petroleum companies, even though their corporate quarterly profits reach Billions of Dollars? Why are they exempt from the contempt Conservatives view the poor with? Why is it more federal revenue sharing dollars go to the poorest states that all voted for Mitt Romney and have GOP Governors? Should we cut off all aid to those "scamming" states and their Conservative citizens too? More importantly, if the poor and minorities seem to take advantage of the system, don't the wealthy also take advantage of the system by using tax breaks and loopholes many poor are not eligible to take? The wealthy routinely take tax deductions for mortgage interest on second homes or boats or recreational vehicles, so why is that okay? Is it because the are being rewarded for being "successful?" But for every tax deduction taken by the wealthy, the Middle Class has to make it up with their taxes! And what about the inherent advantages the wealthy have when it comes to stable home lives, roofs over their heads, money in the bank, good credit (which leads to lower lending rates from auto loans, appliance purchases and homes), and access to quality education (which alone leads to higher economic success)? Why do Conservatives believe that they "deserve" better than the poor because they "earned it" when the poor aren't even given a fair shot at trying?
Which leads me to this conclusion. America is rapidly changing and the demographics prove it. Like the Nativists of the past, Conservatives complain that they are no longer in control of political and economic power and it scares them. Some actually are still in shock that Mitt Romney did not win last Tuesday (according to reports, this includes Mitt Romney himself). This election proved once and for all that the 1% that thinks of themselves and looks down on the changing face of America, are in denial of realities. When Conservatives wake up and realize majority of Americans want the American Dream as much as anyone else, we may be able to work together towards moving this country forward with further greatness. When Conservatives learn that the America Dream really means opportunity for ALL and not just for the few, we will ALL be better off. For my friends who fear for the future of our great Nation I say this; stop thinking in terms of "ME" and instead in terms of "U.S.!"
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