Hard Truths
It’s really unfortunate in American politics that Democrats can’t say things like “when people perceive their economic situation as good, they are less likely to resent foreigners, turn in on outsiders, turn to religion, see economics and politics as a zero-sum game, and, in general, they become more liberal, and that’s a good thing.” The truth is, for all people say that they truly believe that immigration is bad, that the Chinese are destroying our economy, that they really believe in Christ, it’s just true that when people see themselves as doing well, they are more liberal and cosmopolitan. But, of course, we live in America, where Democratic politicians can’t say such things because it’s “elitist” and “out of touch.” And because Republicans have set the tenor of the national debate so, the fact that Obama said these things in San Francisco will make it all the worse.
But, while I defend Obama, it’s also true that he has succumbed to these same illiberal instincts in some of his rhetoric on trade. When he called Clinton a “Democrat’ from Punjab,” how was that different than Republicans who call their presidential nominee “Juan McCain”? Marc Ambinder asks, “If working class Americans are against free trade because of the irrational transfer of their resentments, what’s Obama’s excuse?” I, for one, do not know.
Funny how all the ‘outrage’ that’s being created based on what Obama said is coming just from rich people (McCain, Clinton) who are assuming that this is what small-town Pennsylvanians should be offended by.
Ton
April 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Found you through the magic of the “possibly related post.”
You’re right about the liberalizing effects of feeling oneself doing well. This creates a bit of a puzzle, though, about Republicans, who are both the party of the wealthy business elite and the party of immigration denial.
Partly this reveals a split in the party between the bes and the wannabes. But partly it has to do with a conservative frame of mind for which no amount of wealth or success is enough to feel well. These are people who feel like they’re under attack no matter what.
People who feel under attack don’t think too clearly. Manipulating that fact is a lot of what political rhetoric is about. People who don’t feel under attack and who are thinking clearly offer very little political traction; they’re for ya or agin’ ya all by themselves. So that’s not who Obama is talking to, or about.
This is a neat site. Thanks.
Carl
May 15, 2008 at 12:24 pm