American Missive

LONG BEACH— I tuned into the historical speech last night.  I wanted to see the stadium that was built in a week.  I was impressed. Quite the production for such short notice.  I also had to see the history.  Mr. Obama entered to resounding applause and praise.  His biography was interesting and well done.  I couldn’t help but notice the repeated reference to the American Dream.

Mr. Obama delivered his speech well.  There were a few awkward jabs and references to YouTube videos, but overall it was a well delivered performance.  However, it was hard to ignore the oldest politics in the book: class warfare.

“through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams”
…
“For over two decades, [Mr. McCain has] subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy – give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else…Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps – even if you don’t have boots. You’re on your own.”
—Barack Obama, Democratic Convention, Denver Colorado, Aug 28, 2008

I’m not sure how Mr. Obama could define the American Dream as being acheivable through hard work and then mockingly say no man born into poverty can acheive his dream through hard work.  Apparently in America you may dream as large as you want and you may work hard to make this dream a reality, but when you reach the top you must be taxed and demonized for doing so well.  You will be cast as the villian for your success.

I was hoping the Politics of Change didn’t include the politics of several centuries ago. I thought the Politics of Hope would tell a man “Yes, you can pull your self up on your own. Yes, you can.  You can do anything you set your mind to.”  Instead it says, “No, you cannot acheive your own dreams by your own hard work. No, you cannot be a self made man. But yes, you can still dream about it.”