Question authority. Speak truth to power.
These are considered great virtues when it's liberals who are doing it.
But rather than view as many as a million concerned citizens at Saturday's amazing protest in Washington as speaking truth to power and questioning authority, some are actually disparaging the historic event.
It must be racist. It has to be. It can't be real. This must be a reaction to the country's first black president.
When Barack Obama attracts a crowd, it's a throng. When citizens concerned about the direction of the country gather, something's wrong - with them.
Washington authorities were caught by surprise by the size of Saturday's 9-12 protest - and they're not alone: Congress, the White House and anyone who gets his information solely from "mainstream" media sources could not have seen this coming.
Nor was this massive rally merely about health care. This was a coming together of hundreds of thousands of Americans - who represent millions more - who are increasingly distressed about Washington's out-of-control spending and the growth of federal government power.
It's truly tragic how many on the left and in the media desperately want this to be about anything other than that. The latest Democratic talking points: The tea party rallies, and even Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst, are about racist whites who can't accept a black president.
That bellicose lie - that you're all a bunch of racists - is one of the most insulting slanders of Americans in years and years.
It's also a cynical diversion from attending to the problems facing this country.
We implore our liberal friends to stop slandering Americans, stop hiding behind the race of the president, and let's all take a look at the issues together. This problem is not black and white; it's about the financial solvency of America itself, and the extent of individual freedom we and our descendants will enjoy - or be stripped of.
If this is about race, it's about a race to save the country from financial ruin. We are already awash in nearly $12 trillion in accumulated debt, the yearly deficit (which is thrown on top of the $12 trillion in debt) is between $1 trillion and $2 trillion, and future promises to retirees in Social Security and Medicare approach $100 trillion.
Those things alone might be enough to sink America's ship - but the government is now considering creating a new health care coverage program that independent analysts say will add trillions more to the debt. And the administration's "cap and trade" tax on energy could further cripple an already reeling economy.
On a philosophical, yet practical, level this debate is also about morality. Is it moral, or constitutional, to use government to rob Peter to pay Paul? Is it moral to erode self-responsibility on both ends of the equation? And where else on Earth has that been successful?
This isn't about race. This is about our future.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
People who think the outrage about governemnt control, out of control spending or furthering social programs is really due to the race of the President are ignorant. Don't get me wrong, I am sure there are plenty who don't like Obama because of the color of his skin and there were just as many who didn't like Bush for the color of his skin but all of those people are ignorant and don't have a clue how to better our country. Many conservatives were upset with decisions President Bush made regarding spending tax dollars from spending more on AIDS than any other President to bailing out the banks initially. They were also upset when his father said "no new taxes" and then had to raise taxes, so upset they refused to vote for him again. Now, to think if anyone says anything about this administration, it must somehow be racist is just a card that has been played to death to the point it will backfire. People are sick of it and the poles are showing so, even Obama's approval among blacks is declining in each poll/ Also, the problem far exceeds Obama to includ all of the white liberal spendthrifts such as Pelosi, Frank, and Reid. We need to government to protect us, not control us.
It's a revolution. The left is beginning their quest for income redistribution by providing health care for all while making those who work pay the bills. Enlightening how it takes a period of socialist rule before capitalism and freedom reemerge with renewed vigor.
Obama did not run as the radical he is! Anybody who questioned his motives or political orientation was immediatly attacked in a vicious way by the elite media. Look at Joe the Plumber asking about redistribution of wealth! We are at the point where the elite media is believed only 25% of the time and going broke because people no longer buy thier lies or omissions. Look at the ACORN, story, Van Jones, the march in Washington all ignored by the elite media. Van Jores resigned, ACORN has lost federal funding for housing and will not be in the census and a hugh group of people peacefully gather to protest in DC. All ignored by those vaunted media types! Why?
Obama did not run with the promise of a public option in healthcare, Hillary did. The main difference between Obama's plan and Hillary's was that she wanted the public option. So when did Obama convert? When he no longer had to worry about gaining votes!
AsitisinAugusta writes " I am sure there are plenty who don't like Obama because of the color of his skin and there were just as many who didn't like Bush for the color of his skin" Just as many? Oh realy? Lost your credibility with me and millions of others right there.
This editorial is well stated.
The Mainstream Media is a contradiction in terms. It isn't and has not been Mainstream in a long time.
So Retired Army - there weren't Blacks who disliked, albeit, loathed Bush because he was white? Do you need to be reminded that famous saying by Kanye West about Bush not liking black people because of an unbiased hurricane? Now don't you think that was just a little racist itself?
Obama ran on race as a primary plank in his platform. Long before the election of 2008 it was commented that if you disagreed with Obama it was because of race. No one is surprised this false premise is still being used as the primary foundation to defend any action that garners a negative reaction. You just hate black people if you don't like O's Marxist ways.
It's strange to me that suddenly the right is worried about the deficit. Where were you all when bush invaded Iraq and added millions, if not trillions, to the national debt. And where was the outrage when a republican congress passed the Medicare Prescription bill that also was not paid for, but added to the deficit. And when the bush tax cuts primarily benefited the top 1% of the population, again not paid for but adding to the deficit?
I wonder why the disgusta chronicle race baits EVERYDAY with an editorial? this paper race baits everyday if not from the editorial staff, surely a letter to the editor. Before Sodomka left was it like this or did I miss out on a lot of past editorial like these daily ones?
harper - other than what was being spent on the wars I was talking about Bush just as much for being a spender. Especially when he asked for and got his bailout money.
jackfruit, you complaining about race baiting is priceless.
I think alot of people were angry with Bush in the end and I think alot of people are angry with Obama, and race has nothing to do with it. People were angry over the Bush votes in Florida just like people were angry over the ACORN mess with Obama. Stop trying to make peoples dislike for Obama a race thing. Dems always complain about Reps but they do the exact same thing, they accuse and complain now they happen to have the race card to throw in. Oh they hate Obama because he is black, well get this, blacks can be just as racist as whites, it isn't a one sided thing. I have come across some extemely racist black people as well as whites and as well as Asians and hispanic. Being a racist doesn't mean your skin is white.
Maybe retired army hasn't seen the articles about the worry that the next mayor of Atlanta may be white. See it hasn't been a white mayor for 35 years but there is a chance that the black vote could be diluted in the next election helping a white woman win. The older blacks are wanting one of the candidates to step down so that they can ensure that Atlanta will still have a black mayor. This is obviously not because of skin color nor could it be any discrimination. What a joke.
If it's not about race, where were the protesters when Bush was expanding the federal government? Perhaps its about partisan politics then? But in S.C. I think it is plausible that it could be at least partly about race. Think about the comments from one SC lawmaker that an escaped gorilla was a relative of Michelle Obama's. Those are the types of fine leaders that state enjoys.
Face it, dim witted crackers. Racism is still alive and well in the south.
joe, of course racism is alive and well. But, it's not limited to any particular area of the country or world for that matter. And, it is not limited to any particular race.
Yes it is joehill as is evident in your last post.
john yes it is priceless as it's for a truth... I bet this paper can't go a day without any race baiting articles, letters etc.
You say,"CUT TO THE CORE"
A couple of years before his death in 1826, John Adams was asked his opinion of the Revolution. The exact quote escapes me, but this may be close enough:
"The Revolution was fought between the years 1760 and 1775. The Revolution had to first be fought in the minds of men (and women) ,before any shots were fired."
I 'pologize for not knowing the exact quote.
My opinion in response to your challenge "CUT TO THE CORE" is:
A contemporary "Revolution" is being fought today in the minds of men and women here in America.
neither can you jackie
The resistance to the proposed health care reform is because it is flawed from beginning to end. If the plan made any sense whatsoever, there would be no revolt. It is an attempt to institute Socialized Medicine, and the U.S. citizens will not accept this plan. Prezbho has lied from day one, anad we will not allow him to ruin this nation.
The article is another poor job of encouraging the American people to believe that recent protests are not based on racist views. The reasoning is clear: Where were all the minorities during the protest? Yeah, yeah, those few idiots caught with that bunch don't count, but where were the thousands & thousands of minority Americans? They were AWOL. They were not there because they recognize what teabaggers are all about: Hating based on race. Get some minority individuals (and not two clowns or three) and then U got something. Otherwise, U got a bunch of look-a-like idiots, using code words of Hate and giving real Americans a chance to see how Democracy works.
Where were you all when bush invaded Iraq and added millions, if not trillions, to the national debt. teharper428 on Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:51 AM : I was with him because this action was to try and save this country from more attacks like 9/11. Can anybody tell me what good can come from the Trillions that the Big O is spending for this country except destroy it. The common sense millions that oppose it are not doing it because of his color but his lack of that common sense.
A prezbho healthcare bill shouldn't take over 1000+ pages that most can't understand and that prezbho and congress won't even read. All the extra money giveaways shouldn't be included in a healthcare bill. Why won't prezbho include tarp and insurance across state lines? Why is the illegal situation being changed since the comment by Wilson? Could it be that Wilson did bring the situation to the public and our transparent guv'mint is now having to spin and sputter to change the illegal situation? Pay attention and be concerned...
It is not about race but we have had Reagan record deficits at that time, Bush I raise taxes after promising not to, GWB running record deficits, stimulus, bailouts, Iraq, etc and no protests. Obama in office 4 weeks and the tea parties begin. In 4 weeks I think it would hard to explain how he had done so much damage. So race does get some of the blame no one could honestly say otherwise.
why dont u start a prison ministry rastus? playing the race card on communist policies will destroy all race relations in this country. we are a constitutional republic, not a democracy. you will find no long term pleasure in voting the treasury empty and your job moved overseas.
The size of the protest crowds in DC was no big deal to me. Look, we know there were a lot of people who did not vote for Obama. So quite naturally, they would be the ones protesting. They were very unfocused as to what exactly they were protesting other than angry that Obama won. They are by no means a majority in America. In your mind, these few thousand = 47 million or so who voted for the admin. Those figures don't equal out. This is the same thought process that said everyone saw Palin as a threat politically because she was so on target. You can continue to live in fantasyland if it keeps you going, just don't expect us to live in your pollyanna world. The reason race comes into play ( and you all would never admit it because you lie to yourself that you are progressive thinkers) is because you can't make a decent argument without calling the president racial names. An intelligent person should be able to state the facts, calmly, and present his arguments. You don't have facts so you try to cover your resentment with exaggerations. Actually, nothing has been passed that has affected you so why are you so angry?
Wow, did I type protest crows? LOL