September 2009 Archives
Self Reverence
Howard Fineman is dead-on with his Newsweek piece about President Obama’s painfully frequent television appearances.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/216210
I could not agree more with his parenthetical note of the President’s “self-reverential” tone. Mr Obama does so often have a rather cocky countenance. He appears not only pleased with himself, but downright impressed. His tone of voice is too frequently condescending for my taste. He seems to think that everyone else in the entire international political community is beneath him. He even addresses us, his employers, as though we are not smart enough to understand what he really wants to say. There is a huge difference between making complex information comprehensive for the masses, and sounding like you think the audience is simplistic. Whatever doesn’t go his way, he starts pointing fingers like a siblings who each cry, “but he started it!” The perpetual incomplete state of his health care plan is Congress’ fault; they aren’t doing his job. Everything related to foreign policy is Bush’s fault. Underemployment and inability to put food on the table are the fault of hard-working people who fail to ’share their wealth.’ Mr President, it’s time to be a leader. A leader holds himself accountable, takes on problems one at a time, sees them through to the end, hires people with clean and relevant records, and always knows where every penny is going. A leader talks little, works a lot, and makes an appearance after the accomplishment is complete. A leader would praise his team and thank his supporters. A leader does not praise himself for setting lofty goals. A leader does not take on all challenges at once, then blame everyone around him for his lack of success. No leader asks millions of voters to hire him to be different from the last leader, and then upon receiving the job, complain that job comes with problems from his predecessor. He asked us to give him the problems of our country, and he promised us he could fix them! Now he’s eight months in, and he’s still complaining that his job is hard. Insert Debbie Downer sound effects here.
With three years and change to go, let’s hope that Mr Obama is a learner, a listener and an adapter. He must change his style and his tune to get the job done.
A Sunday Without William Safire
In honor of William Safire, who passed away today at age 79, his Rules for Writers:
Obama’s address to students
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/04school.html
It really is disappointing that people are against this. Let’s give the man a chance to say something inspiring to our kids. People love to hear him speak, and our kids could use a kick in the right direction. I know from dealing with my young staff that kids these days think everything is someone else’s fault or responsibility. They don’t try hard; they want success to land in their lap. If thirty minutes of President Obama reaches one kid, it’s a success.
Blue Staters vs Red Staters
Growing up in Massachusetts and attending public schools, I certainly know a thing or two about life in a Blue State. I went to a private university in a Purple State (Swing State), where I was a student during my first presidential election as a voter. I’m now living in Georgia - still Red, for now. There are countless traits, beliefs, habits, and even mannerisms that define liberals and conservatives. From the stereotypes, like pro-choice liberals, to the surprises, like gay Christians, I have often felt there is one defining quality of each side’s mannerisms that is unavoidable and inarguable. Conservatives have a nice attitude; liberals have a nasty attitude.
As I’ve said before, I’m a registered Independent. This isn’t about the politicians; rather, it’s about their cheering section. Similarly, I haven’t met any Pittsburgh Steelers players. I mean no insult to them, but their fans are annoying. Seriously, a towel is not terrible. It won’t harm anyone. It does not make you tough or intimidating.
In social situations, conservatives rarely identify themselves as registered Republicans. They don’t announce their political views, nor do they ask for yours. They don’t criticize or join in political conversations. They don’t tend to care what you believe, or at least they don’t make an issue of it if they disagree.
Liberals, on the other hand, are notoriously aggressive. The liberals in my life from early grade school, through high school and college, to my staff and clients, have all shared that personality trait. They’re in your face. They need to tell you what they believe, that their view is correct, and they demand that you respond. If you agree, surprisingly, they get more animated. Are they hoping that together you’ll start a riot? If you disagree, they rip you apart, dis you and your family, and tell anyone they know that you are not an equal. We live in a free country, thankfully, and it’s nothing new to state that with that freedom must come a patient acceptance of everyone else’s freedom. I’m never one to cast blanket statements on whole groups of people, but I honestly cannot think of a demure, mild-mannered liberal in my life. And there are lots of liberals in my life. This idea of political personalities came up when I went out this past weekend in Atlanta. One of the new people I’ve met here put to words what I’ve been thinking for some time: “Liberals are rude.” For all their preaching of diversity and tolerance, acceptance and equality, they truly cannot tolerate those whose opinions differ from their own. They truly believe that liberals and conservatives are not equal. Liberals are superior, and the inferiors must be weeded out. It enrages me.
When election time rolls around, I get countless emails and phone calls from the left. These people aren’t asking me if I need any information before casting my vote; no, they’re telling me how to vote. They tell me whom to choose, which way to vote on ballot questions, and ask me to pass the message on. Ever been into a department store and had every sales clerk approach you with the same spiel? Ever been asked more than once by the waiter if you would like to order the special? The more someone pushes something in my face, the more I push back. I turn and run from people who don’t respect my independence. As a swing voter, you should be trying to win me, not tick me off. Here’s a tip for the left: BE NICE.
People initially join the bullies to avoid getting bullied. No one wants to be the loser if he can avoid it. In time, more and more levelheaded people band together and the bullies go down. I may be young, but this is a trend that’s not rocket science to observe in daily life and in the longer term political picture. I predict a big loss for Democrats in the coming years. Not the next election, necessarily, but a loss in registered Dems. I see a a growing number of Independents, Libertarians, and other minor parties. The cocky, ego-driven mindset of the liberal left is catching up with them.
Let’s all hope this humbles them, rather than enraging them further.
Please, post comments or email me at owner@purpleplease.net.
