Maybe I’m Just a Liberal Snob

But when I hear Republicans in power speak, it sounds like rambling avoidance completely lacking in understanding and honesty. How how how can you fight for deregulation for years, finally see the effects of that deregulation, and then demand government intervention to the tune of 700 billion dollars without ever admitting you were wrong?

Governor Palin is only a small part of this. Mostly it’s John McCain–the Maverick himself–and other Senate and House Republicans. Oh, and the President.

You hold opinions I don’t agree with. I understand. I don’t think you’re right. How could I possibly, when truth for me is nearly the opposite? But I respect you anyway. I would even respect you if you changed your mind. Honest people often change their minds.

So, you believe what you believe, and that’s okay. But, you’re going to have to defend yourself with reason and logic, you’re going to have to confess your assumptions, because many people oppose you. They think more like I do. They don’t trust in an economic theory that sounds good, but has never proven itself true. They especially don’t trust it now that they see their country in crisis. They saw it coming a long time ago. Why didn’t you?

In the study of theology and philosophy, we say that if your philosophy can’t explain the actual world you experience, then you need to change your philosophy. Anything less is intellectual dishonesty. You don’t block out science, experience, or opposing opinions simply because they threaten your own. If your worldview can’t account for these others, then it was always lacking.

I know things aren’t black or white. I’m not so sure you do. Just because I think people need help doesn’t mean I don’t value hard work. Just because I don’t support huge tax cuts for the rich doesn’t mean I support big government. Just because I don’t support the death penalty doesn’t mean I side with criminals. Just because I support gay marriage, doesn’t mean I think your marriage is less valid. Just because I don’t support the war, doesn’t mean I’m not patriotic. So much the opposite, really. I see what the United States is, and I see where the United States could be. We’re so far from that. As James Baldwin once said, “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”

I don’t mean to put Democrats on high. They, too, are often corrupt. Joe Biden has said more dumb things than I can count. Barack Obama has–gasp!–been wrong. They make mistakes, they act in the interests of their egos, they play political games.

But, specifically in regards to Senators Obama and Biden, when they speak, I hear free-thinking people not afraid to disagree with each other, I hear honest assessments of problems and reasonable solutions, and I believe that they believe what they say. They don’t need to dodge questions, because answering honestly doesn’t threaten their chances of getting elected. I believe they understand the middle class, not because they wink at me, but because they have the policies and voting records to prove it.

There are ways, I’m sure, to be so academic that you are out of touch with common people. But, this is a stereotype I’ve rarely run into in the academy. The genius who can’t tie her own shoes? Pretty rare. So, don’t tell me, especially in our current crisis, that talking about economic philosophy makes one too academic, and therefore out of touch with common people. I, along with almost everyone I know, am part of the middle class, and we don’t play hockey or wield guns, so you’re going to have to relate on some other level.

I’m bound to be more forgiving of Biden and Obama, since I already agree with them, but, being as honest and objective as I can, I still think their talk is smarter, more straight forward, and far more relevant.

I was never going to be a Sarah Palin supporter. I can go through her list of stances on the issues, and I disagree with almost every single one (actually, I don’t think the “almost” is necessary). But, her performance at the debate left me with two conflicting conclusions: 1) she’s more relateable than I thought. I was nearly convinced that she’s more tolerant and less arrogant than the company she keeps. 2) She sounds like a puppet of McCain and other Republicans. This became particularly obvious when Palin could not respond to direct contradiction about why Obama had voted against funding for the troops, except to repeat the refuted statistics over again. I’m not looking for a VP who can repeat the views of the president. I’m looking for a VP with opinions of her own; Governor Palin has opinions, I know, so why should they be lost now?

In some ways, I understand why the American people are resistant to elect more Washington insiders. Hasn’t worked out too well for us in the last several years. But, shit, unless you think you’re capable of running the country yourself, then why would you put Governor Palin so close to the presidency?

When I was talking to my dad last week, I said that listening to Palin be interviewed on foreign policy, well, it was comprable to if Katie Couric had interviewed me on the same subject. I don’t know anymore than Palin does, but as much as I support jumping into the deep end and learning as you go, don’t drag an entire nation along with you! Know the limits of your own knowledge and experience. As the week went on, and more of these interviews were aired, I realized that I actually know more than Palin does. You think that’s who I want representing me?

I understand if you’re not totally on board with Obama-Biden like I am. But, aren’t they at the very least the lesser of evils?

One last note. Who ever heard of a team of mavericks? Isn’t that a total contradiction of terms?

If it’s not clear, my beef is with many of the Republicans in power–not all Republicans. And, I am supporting Obama and Biden–not all Democrats. When I hear Bush, McCain, and especially Palin speak, I feel like I’m being forced into one of two boxes: Joe six-pack American or Crazy Free-for-All Democrat. Neither of these fit me, and that’s what I’m reacting to. I feel like I’m being talked down to about this bail out plan, especially what led to it. I’m critical of how Democrats, too, are handling this economic crisis, but I’m relieved to hear many of them at least talking about the effects of neo-liberal economic theory. And, hey, maybe I am just a liberal snob in her little academic bubble.