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The mainstream media is making much of the remark by Senator Barack Obama about the residents of small-town America being "bitter." Actually, I believe most Americans are "bitter" by now, and with good reason. We can begin with the fact that the last two presidential elections have not been decided by the good common sense of the voting public but by the arcane machinations and dirty tricks of the political party machinery. First, let's explore the term, "bitter." On the scale of unhappiness, it is to be found somewhere beyond "disappointment," "disillusionment" and "desperation." Those terms have been common in recent years and with very good reason. However, as the situation of working America continues to deteriorate, we have certainly become "desperate" because nobody in government appears to truly know or care. However, being bitter does not denote surrender. After seizing the 2000 election, George Bush, who promised to be "a uniter, not a divider," undertook policies which created the widest division in the United States since the Civil War -- not between states but between classes. Instantly, he began choosing "enemies" throughout the world of whom we should be aware and fearful. After the second and highly successful bombing of the World Trade Center, he immediately plunged the nation into a total war against an amorphous and disconnected "enemy" by attacking Afghanistan which appeared to be the home base of its leadership. As it appeared that we were winning that war, though much was left to be done, we were bombarded by the fear machine regarding the other arch-enemy, Saddam Hussein, the dictator of Iraq who was, we were told, prepared to attack us with nuclear weapons at any moment. The President keeps telling us that our economy is going through a "rough patch" and we should suck it up while jobs continue to go off-shore, homes are being foreclosed, and children and elderly are dying needlessly for lack of medical care. Those who still have jobs are paying double for gasoline to get to work and retail prices are reaching for the sky because of the increased cost of getting merchandise from the factory or the docks to the stores. Meanwhile, the oil barons are being enriched beyond imagination by their windfall profits and the world is running out of fuel. Recently we have been made aware of the fact that there are more hired mercenaries in Iraq than there are American troops. These hired guns are paid at a much higher rate than are our own soldiers, and the corporations who direct them, Blackwater and Halliburton subsidiaries or spin-offs, are pocketing huge profits, not only for fighting but for their no-bid "reconstruction" work. Kellogg, Brown & Root, a "former Halliburton" firm, is providing rotten food and contaminated water for our troops, courtesy of their slave-wage laborers from all over the world. We have no idea how many of these "civilian employees" have been killed, I suppose because the hired help doesn't matter. Meanwhile, the leaders of Al Qaida are no longer in Afghanistan but have crossed the border into Pakistan but we can't go there because our leaders tell us that "Pakistan is our friend." However, the "extremist" Taliban organization is battling us in order to return that nation to the old, traditional ways of governing by tribal rules. The titular leader who was installed by us, Hamid Karzai, is so hated by the people that he is virtually a prisoner in the capital city and, even there, can move only with armed guard. To the citizens of a nation that, a few short years ago, was a "shining city on a hill," it is a revolting development to find that we are hated throughout the world and can only find "allies" with the payment of sufficient amounts of money. And, yes, there is the problem of money! The entire cost of the Bush misadventure has been charged to our children, grandchildren, ad infinitum, and the American dollar is no longer an advantage on the world markets. Tourists from all over the world can come here to find bargains in our stores, but Americans cannot share in their pursuits because Americans have no money! We lose our jobs, we lose our homes, we lose our sons and daughters in the war without end, and now many of us are losing our tempers! Some are old enough to remember the miseries of the Great Depression and we feel another one coming on as history is repeating itself. It seems that Herbert Hoover was also unconcerned about the plight of the ordinary American and intent on following his own Pied Piper. When the world-wide drought and food shortage hit, the United States was virtually destroyed. Now we are reading about food riots and shortages in other nations and the scientists are warning that another drought is in the making. I don't know about Pennsylvania, Senator Obama, but I know about America, and we are not only bitter -- we are sick and tired of elected officials who are lying to us as they betray our trust and their oaths of office We're mad as hell and we're not gonna take it any more! The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
I'm a citizen and resident of Cascadia - a province of the FORMER USA.
Obama Was CORRECT! I heard about this dust up on the news today - listening to NPR while I was working on a Saturday and thankful that I HAVE a freakin' job AT ALL - thank you very much... After hearing the other candidaes were scolding him for his remarks in a Pennsylvania stump speech - I thought to myself "WAIT! What does he have to apologize for!?" Oh yeah... he told the truth! Telling the truth in the Former USA is forbidden. Since the BushCo corporate criminal syndicate was installed in power by the Subprime Court... the truth has been out of style. Never-the-less, most of the people I know are way beyond "bitter." Most have moved on to total cynicism and complete disgust. Anger and rage are such self-destructive emotions, however, I think those would definitely also be appropriate... as would projectile vomiting. Obama spoke the truth - he has nothing to apologize for. The other two candidates really need to wake the eff up and check in with the reality based community once in a while. Of course, for McCain I know this is a tall order - ain't gonna happen considering where his head is stuck. Yeah, Americans ARE bitter. Corporations have murdered democracy, robbed the treasury, raped the environment and LIED about it all at EVERY opportunity. The only people who are not angry and bitter, haven't been paying attention! by
mrk * (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 294 comments)
on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 8:46:58 PM
The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
Thank you, mrk! We must see to it that the politicians get the message, from the presidential candidates to the wannabee congress-people. The masses must wake up , forget the earmarks, and make those in government listen to the people for fear of losing their cushy jobs. by
Mary Pitt (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 159 comments)
on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:42:41 PM
stop the belly-aching! why the bitchin' about being a true patriotic american. just do the right thing and support our leaders and the troops fighting for democracy. if a blip on the radar could not have been forseen that an economic bump in the road to operation iraq liberation (oil) was around the corner. look how wonderful the euro is doing. we have brought happiness through-out the free world with our global economic policies. we must push those tree hugging traitors from our shores. the time has come to stand together to burn the bridges from fdr's destruction of the american economic model of true conservative beleifs. the cfr has shown us the way out of the wilderness. we can't give up our consumerism because the terrorists wish us to fail. mc cain will be our moses. he will not let us leave while their is freedom to increase our hegemony in a dangerous, non-capitalistic , world. do not pray to the golden idol of sovereignty when the one true god of freidmanism is literally at hand. wolfie hegel marx by
Wolfie (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 884 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2:11:18 AM
The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
Thank you, Wolfie for the early morning laugh! by
Mary Pitt (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 159 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 4:49:28 AM
The root cause of bitterness is not in the symtoms the author lists. The reason for the war, the inflation and lost jobs is the Federal Reserve Bank and the foreign lobby that has our nation in a stranglehold. The majority of the bush cabinet are dual-citizens of questionable allegiance. Many of us are still bitter that our favorite president was killed by the criminals whose children and partners now occupy the whitehouse. The blooming police state abuses only serve to aggravate our already bitter outlook. A trashed constitution and corporate control of world politics is the death blow to our floundering republic. I would say I am beyond bitter. by
john riggs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 324 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:22:06 AM
I'm a 57 year old Australian Vietnam Veteran, currently living in Australia.Spent the last 30 years as a Locomotive engineer and Union official negotiating with various Federal and State Govt authorities in that capacity.Pet hate are bullies of any nature/nationality, life's goal is to destroy/ridicule/minimise damage done by such people.
WHY AMERICANS ARE BITTER Oh Dear, poor Mary, so finaly, after all these years, you've begun to realise you've been living in an alternative reality, poor dear. Yes, the World is very much aware of the situation within the U.S. and shares very little concern for it as well, after all, it's a situation brought about by your very own Govt and it's misguided selfish, self interest policies, AND the citizens of America voted for, and supported those sucessive Govts with their own free will, so it's no good now, cryin over spilt milk because finaly, Americans are reaping what they have sown over the years, sponging and pillaging other countries resources and living opulent lives as a consequence, whilst those very same countries are starving, then blithely standing on the World stage and proclaiming a few measly million bucks for aid, as if that will resolve what they've done, aid that never sees the light of day, as their puppet installed Govts skim off the majority to secret bank accounts, and again the populations continues to starve whilst their resources leaves their country faster then a speeding bullet. CEO's of such companies get millions of dollars in salaries for the excellent job they are thus doing on behalf of the good Mom and Pop shareholders of such companies. I hear the whinges of the high price of a barrel of oil Americans are whining about these days. Hoo Ray, big deal, the rest of the World has had to pay these higher proces now for many, many years and not once was there ever, a glimmer of sympathy from Americans for our plight, so pray tell, why on earth should any of us show sympathy now that finaly reality has struck, and you all must at last PAY YOUR WAY ? I also hear the whines of wars ect and the loss of your young folk, again, as a Vietnam Veteran myself, (which gave me first hand knowledge of the U.S. policies in such wars) every one of these wars has been brought about by your very own Govt again, simply to further their riches as a consequence, so cut the whinning and bitching, your Country reaps what it has sown, simple as that, and about time too I'd say. When Americans begin to realise, they do NOT own the World, and the World is not there for them to abuse and murder/rape/destroy/pillage/install puppet Govts who will act for them in exchange for a few measly pieces of silver, when they final begin to live lives, showing respect for others ways and traditions/cease their continual interference within other countries internal affairs for your own financial gain, MAYBE, I say MAYBE then, there wil be a change in how the rest of the World views Americans, but unless that happens, I'd say the U.S. is in for a hell of a lot more pain then they ever bargained for. by
Eddy Schmid (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 189 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:31:50 AM
The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
It must be spring! The cuckoo-birds are back from Florida. by
Mary Pitt (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 159 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:48:20 AM
Conservative prolife anti-death penalty tree hugger. Believe that less government is good government, government cannot solve anyone's personal problems, the government taking money from one group of people and giving it to another group of people is a crime, and that people should take responsibility for their own lives.
Bitter Sure I am bitter. Bitter that evil guy in Washington DC doesn't come riding into town on his white horse and personally make all those rich people give me more money and give me big discounts on everything I buy. I might even be bitter that he personally doesn't do that for each and everyone of my bitter and suffering neighbors either. Haven't we all suffered enough? Excuse me for a minute while I have to go suffer some more. Oh, the suffering. All personally caused by that evil, evil guy in Washington who is the cause of all suffering everywhere by everyone. I know, in my heart of hearts, that when we get a fine, upstanding, honest Democratic president, like our glorious William J Clinton (and his glorious co-president, Hillary Rodham Clinton), in there we will have someone who will personally come riding into town and give me all the money he/she has squeezed out of the big nasty corporations and CEOs and might even carry my groceries, given to me free, to the car he/she gave me. Glory, glory, glory. All I have to do is vote and my suffering will magically end. My neighbors and I will run into the streets shouting the new president's name in praise. No more lies. No more wars. No more disease. No more hunger. No more poverty. No more homeless. No more greedy corporations. Free gasoline. No more uneducated children. Everyone will have everything they want and need. Forever. I won't have to do anything or be responsible for anything because the guy/gal in Washinton will take care of it all for me and my suffering neighbors. by
Mad Jayhawk (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 197 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 10:27:05 AM
Why be bitter when it's time for rejoice? Why bitter? I don't know why when the great reckoning has barely begun. But in the meantime I do enjoy American democracy in action - by that I mean the people put Bush in office twice and deserves everything he and his cronies has done. Come January 2009, Bush and his 10,000 friends in government will leave office and return to a life of great happiness in secluded retirement all over the world. Leaving fine folls like Mary Pitt holding the bag. Enjoy. May the great American reckoning begin! by
TomK (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 194 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 10:51:06 AM
The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
A missed perception We should remember that the quote was made casually in a gathering of supporters where the press was banned and nothing was to be on-the-record. However, one of those "supporters" could not resist carrying her tape recorder and, once she had the remark, she could not resist the 15 minutes of fame it would bring her. When speaking informally, we all say things in a way that may not be quite precise. As for the crime of "clinging to religion', there are times in our lives when there is little else to which we may cling and, in the United States today, there are many in that position. Also, in times of prosperity one may view the illegal workers as merely scenery but, when you have lost your job, you certainly would notice when an illegal is now doing it and for less money. Of course, none of this would make any sense to those who have security and lack any sympathy for those who don't. They're too busy crying because they don't want to pay any taxes. Just wait until the bills come due to pay for Bush's war. by
Mary Pitt (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 159 comments)
on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 12:42:03 PM
The author is a very "with-it" old lady who aspires to bring a bit of truth, justice, and commom sense to a nation that has lost touch with its humanity in the search for societal "perfection".
I agree with you about the "news" All day yesterday, Russert and the cable media were railing about Obama's saying that "small town people are bitter" as if that were the entire statement. We have had a President who has told us lies until we are not comfortable confronting the truth. For the record, I am not a flaming Obama supporter. I am very afraid he is not ready for the presidency but he is likely the best of the group from which we have to choose. If the Dems nominate Hillary and she should win, it will be the second term of Bush 41 and, should McCain win, it will be the third term of Bush 43. The Democrats are running true to form this year, starting with an excellent selection of candidates, eliminating most of them early, and leaving us to choose between the lesser talents. However, as to Obama's statement, the old adage applies: "Fact is fact and you can't change it". The statement in its entirety is true, whether or not some people are comfortable with hearing it. by
Mary Pitt (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 159 comments)
on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 10:18:45 AM
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