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False Start
Whoever wrote this was clever, but a moment of thought reveals some, well, logical fallacies throughout. Right off the bat, he says that if Republicans depend on the rich for their power, they have to keep the rich rich to keep power. Not exactly accurate, but close. But then he uses analogy to state that therefore Democrats, who claim to serve the interests of the poor must keep the poor poor to maintain their power. That's bullshit.
What the Democrats need to do to keep power is allow the working class to at least keep pace with increased costs of living. If the working class makes real progress, the Democrats are that much better off. Wherever the common man goes, the Democrats follow, and provide a voice in government for him. Because the upper classes will always put downward pressure on the income and standard of living of the working class, or so history suggests.
Most of this monologue is based on strawman arguments; he sets up a false representation of Obama's positions, then easily shoots it down. It offers nothing insightful and very little that's remotely accurate. But it is entertaining.
posted by
mousehop
on November 1, 2008 at 5:33 PM
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Re: Re: cantey_1975 - there is more to it than that--Gome
...which is why it's more important than ever to keep the religious idealisms out of the arguments and stick to the real issues. Sadly though, Americans don't really know enough--about the workings of their government, their economy, even their own personal finances in some cases--to understand what a US President can do, and therefore has to bring in all kinds of non-factors into the argument.
Add to this the basic nature of humans to need to believe in something, and suddenly the candidates are idols.
posted by
FineYoungSinger
on October 30, 2008 at 6:08 AM
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Re: cantey_1975 - there is more to it than that--Gome
I understand politics does not attract the best and the brightest men and women anymore, if it ever did. That is a norm.
The main issue you raised is interesting because it gets to the heart of what is happening in U.S. society. There is an attitude of abandonment towards traditional christian "control", if you will. Call it values, morality, or whatever. Call it an "insurrection" for illustrative purposes. Some might call it the "progressive" movement. In other words, Christianity no longer holds the monopoly on morality anymore; society no longer willingly submits under the "thumb" of Christianity like it did in times past. This phenomenon causes "fundamentalist" Christians, which of course there are still quite a few, to resist this "progressiveness" and cling more fiercely and tightly to their bibles, so to speak. They kick and holler, scratch and claw with indignant outrage at the movement among fellow members and elements of their society, all the while those that are a part of the movement begin to view those that refuse as an ever increasing oddity and annoyance, even a dangerous obstruction to human progress. I believe this is the rift you are referring to, and the stark and increasingly entrenched social division has been inevitable. The evidence of this I believe is the enormous success of right wing talk radio. Clever and crafty (not necessarily intelligent) politicians and their talking heads in radio have formed an alliance that understands and exploits this division.
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 10:19 PM
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cantey_1975 - there is more to it than that
Politics attract a certain type of people where self interest over public service can be the norm. The truth is that most times the talent capable of righting some of a country's problems quite often does not exist amongst the career politicians of any given administration. Those people are quite often outside of politics and want nothing to do with public office other than influencing policy through lobbying.
But getting back to divisiveness, the two party system has created a chasm over the last two decades not seen before to this extent. Look at the main combatants in any of the political debates here on Blogit as an example (I'm being kind by calling them debates). The right is exclusively represented here by vocal fundamentalist Christians, the left is represented by a patchwork of everyone else. With one of the parties in a two party system pandering to the religious vote, it has further entrenched social divisions along religious lines.
posted by
gomedome
on October 29, 2008 at 9:06 PM
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Re: this guy will probably be a movie star some day
He was just "targeting his audience"......
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on October 29, 2008 at 6:26 PM
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Re: this guy will probably be a movie star some day
I wouldn't know, since I don't personally know, or ever have known, anyone from the "hood."
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 3:57 PM
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this guy will probably be a movie star some day
for sure this is an impersonation of a certain type of African-American -- a stereotyped role.
He may seem to be a street type from the hood, but you can hear the good diction come through which is not at all in character.
posted by
Xeno-x
on October 29, 2008 at 3:51 PM
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Re: Re: Re: yeah i saw that -- i think he probably got paid for it
I am saying that this guy is thinking for himself, something that I thought you admired in a person, instead of parroting the same blind Obama platitudes and gushing adoration, something I'm sure many blacks around him do. To state that he must be getting paid implies that blacks can't or shouldn't think for themselves when it comes to politics. In other words, the party knows best.
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 3:50 PM
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Re: Re: yeah i saw that -- i think he probably got paid for it
you are imagining things
viewing the video, I couldn't help but come to that conclusion. The guy is not at representative of the majority of African-Americans. And his conclusions are faulty.
I guess you are saying he would gladly vote for Jesse Helms or Strom Thurmond.
posted by
Xeno-x
on October 29, 2008 at 3:38 PM
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Re: cantey_1975 - that guy is brilliant? --Gome
I never claimed he was "brilliant", I found it to be refreshing to see a black person arguing against the Democrats with conviction. Yeah, some of it was a little unsubstantial and airy, but he made some very good points, and he did it very well. It seems every time I turn on TV or pick up a newspaper or magazine, or talk to people, blacks seem to showering Obama with praise and tearful laudation.
The two party system has become more divisive because people running for office are far more interested in their own personal advancement and power, and power for their party, than the interests of the country.
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 3:12 PM
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cantey_1975 - that guy is brilliant?
Are you friggin kidding?
I could not care less who wins the US election, therefore I can look entirely at the substance of the man's words. He is articulate and able to construct cohesive sentences but a great deal of what he is saying (not all of it) is pure nonsense.
It amazes me how divisive the two party system in the US has become. Witnessing Americans doing this to themselves is an eye opener for the rest of the world.
posted by
gomedome
on October 29, 2008 at 2:50 PM
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Re: Re: This guy is brilliant, and right on the money!
I've already put it on my e-mail chains.........
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on October 29, 2008 at 2:03 PM
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Re: This guy is brilliant, and right on the money!
Good, spread it around.
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 1:53 PM
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Re: yeah i saw that -- i think he probably got paid for it
Xeno, this is what I find amusing about you. You probably don't even realize that your comment is racist as hell.
posted by
calmcantey75
on October 29, 2008 at 1:52 PM
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This guy is brilliant, and right on the money!
No pun intended. Thanks for posting this. I am going to show this to so many people... good find.
posted by
CunningLinguist
on October 29, 2008 at 1:51 PM
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yeah i saw that -- i think he probably got paid for it
posted by
Xeno-x
on October 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM
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Man oh man........
If only we had this video months ago.......what an articulate young manI hope he sticks with it..we have plenty of room for him!
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on October 29, 2008 at 12:58 PM
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