By now you’ve heard about the uproar that is ensuing in response to President Obama’s announcement for plans to address the nation’s students. The controversy? Despite the White House’s announcement that the intention is to encourage students to stay in school, many conservatives believe that Obama plans to capitalize on his audience and spread his “socialist” agenda and encourage partisan politics.
Here are some of the comments from this CNN article:
From a Colorado mom:
“I’m an American. [The students] are Americans, and I don’t feel that’s OK. I feel very scared to be in this country with our leadership right now.“
___
From Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (a possible contender for the GOP’s 2012 presidential nomination):
“At a minimum it’s disruptive. Number two, it’s uninvited. And number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don’t think he needs to force it upon the nation’s school children.”
___
From some other guy:
“As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.
The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans … is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.”
___
From: Oklahoma state Sen. Steve Russell (R)
“As far as I’m concerned this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality.”
So what is embarrassing about all of this?
First: It is Hypocritical
Does it make sense, if one thinks that Obama is going to promote partisan politics, to react (in advance) by promoting partisan politics? Damn that Obama and his desire to spread partisan politics. Let’s all get together and tell the world why that guy is un-American and why he shouldn’t get the opportunity to divide the country. According to conservative Americans, apparently that makes sense. Somewhat humorously, though, they see no agenda or partisan politics at play in their own actions.
More troubling, it is not the act itself that people seem to have a problem with. Some of those who oppose it do so because they don’t think tax dollars should be spent to “spread…socialist ideology.” Presumably, though, they would be okay were it their ideology. Reagan (considered the Republican hero) and Bush Sr. both did it…were this people opposed to the tax dollars being spent then? When its our view that’s being spread, there isn’t a problem because our view is “more American” and thus the tax dollars are being used to further an American value, not a partisan political one.
This is the classic political game: support something while you benefit from it and after that oppose the hell out of it.
Second: He’s the President
Is it a surprise to people that the President uses tax dollars…for his political purposes…as a public official…elected by the people? The President shouldn’t get to use tax dollars? Since when? Since you didn’t like the fact that your guy didn’t get in? Do you only care about rights so long as their yours (i.e. the right to not have someone else’s political agenda shoved down your throat) but when its you shoving well, then its okay?
As the President of the United States, an elected government official who won both the popular and electoral college votes, he in fact does have the right to address the nations students. Don’t forget, he is their President, too.
Third: Give Your Students – And Yourself – More Credit
I would hope that parents have more influence over their child’s political views than a 15-minute address from Obama would. If not, that’s says less about Obama’s socialist politics or “cult of personality” than it does about an utter inability to parent properly. Further, if you have parented properly, you could trust that your kid developed that little filter called discretion and had been equipped to agree or disagree as he/she sees fit. If you’re scared about Obama turning your kids into socialists, the failure is yours.
Fourth: So Much for “Now that he is our President, I am going to support him,” eh?
Really? Obama wants to address the students to encourage them to stay in school and you’re freaked out that he is going to hypnotize them with his Alice-in-Wonderland-Cat-Eyes and convince them that he is Messiah and that America needs to become a socialist country? You might have some credit if you heard his message first and then got upset, but you haven’t. You’re just afraid of something that may or may not happen.
Ugh. Grow up conservative America. You’re embarrassing.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | America, Hypocrisy, Politics
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705327522/Obama-protest-planned-by-parents.html
Apparently, Obama is an un-American freedom hater.
On a more serious note, though, I share your disappointment. Though I would question your embarrassment. Unless you align yourself with Conservative America, then there is no reason to be embarrassed. Do you understand what I mean? Unless you consider yourself to be a Conservative American, to share their values, interests, dismays, etc… then why are you embarrassed?
I would say that my feelings on the matter are more like ‘appalled’ and ‘disappointed’. Americans in general, Conservative and Liberal alike, tend to be ignorant and stubborn. This is a dangerous combination. When you combine a lack of understanding with a refusal to understand, bad things happen.
I appreciate your statement about how people only support something when it benefits them. It is an unfortunate and inconvenient truth that people need to be confronted with.
I feel that further elaboration on the idea that Obama is promoting a socialist agenda is in order. Whether this is true or not, I’m not sure that it is such a bad thing, in the scheme of things. The ‘big issue’ at the moment is healthcare. I don’t understand why Conservative America, made up largely of Christians, is so staunchly opposed to universal healthcare. This may seem a childish argument, but wouldn’t Jesus support universal healthcare? Didn’t he go around healing people without reciprocation? Didn’t he promote loving and including everybody?
It seems silly and somewhat hypocritical for Conservative Americans to continue fighting against policies and ideas that realistically complement the lifestyle of the Man they claim to put their faith in and worship.
I’m embarrassed because conservative American is composed of a significant amount of a Christians, and that’s a label I’m not comfortable shedding just yet. But I’m also embarrassed because I expected more. Despite the fact that I voted for Obama, I don’t think the Democratic party is perfect…I could very well vote for a Republican the next time around. But crap like this pushes me farther and farther away from that. I suppose I expected better.
Yeah, I’m not sure where I land on the universal healthcare issue – I lean towards it, but the financing of it is a huge barrier.
Thanks for the interaction, Evan. I love your take!
I do not remember where or from whom I heard this, but I consider it a wise saying nonetheless: ‘There are men of principle in both parties, but there is no party of principle.’
That just about sums up your take on political allegiance, presumably.
Yep, it does.
way to go tim pawlenty for totally ruining your run as President. I mean, hey, you were the front runner for 2012 along with Palin, but hey, why succeed when you can just go insane?