Ring the Bell: New American Political Attitudes (Part 2)
Walter Rhett
June 24, 2009
Writer's note: this is the second of a two part series on the new attitudes emerging in American politics. These attitudes cut across party lines, are rarely effectively in evaluating policy initiatives, and overlook nusanced American interests in foreign affairs. But these attitudes are the new heartbeat and drumbeat of American discussion, especially on the internet. For this reason, looking at the new attitudes of the American people toward their politics offers an insight and important commentary on the complex twists of American political cosmology--and the inner urges that feed the daily discussions of our common life.
A warning note: several of the quotes cited below have language which may be offensive to some readers, and should definitely not be read by young children, or young adults without parent's permission or guidance. The language is quoted for its factual value in sharing the tone of the national discussion.
Part one of the series appeared previously and described the first three groups characterized by their attitudes; today's post profiles the last three, and begins with number four.
4. Next are the flock. The flock are upbeat, but largely blind sheep. What distinguishes them from camp followers is their positive outlook and their sense of associated good works. They offer a litany of constant praise. They hail each new event as a milestone of welcome benefits.
Outside of the US is perhaps the best place to find an example of this group: Surprisingly, the People's Republic of China uses the attitudes of the flock. In their dealings with other nations, the Chinese offer constant praise, relentless expressions of gratitude. They speak in their official web postings, after high level meetings, of "deepening political trust," "friendly cooperation," "strengthening positive exchanges." This positive outlook is a major tool in China's diplomatic and foreign arsenal. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website glistens with glowing praise for the results of visits by over 20 high level officials from other countries. In fact, the Ministry's website continually flashes the words "Peace" and "Development."
The flock is extremely happy with Barack's personal initiatives to nurture social change. They embrace his use of mandates and the ritual style Confucius once suggested for how a leader should live and interact with others, and the forms of society in which he should participate.
From attending a soccer game or a Wizards game, planting the White House garden, walking the dog, listening to Sweet Honey and Stevie Wonder at White House concerts, writing notes for skipping school to attend town meetings, or receiving an autographed basketball shoe from Shaq, bloggers like the Loyal K*N*G applaud loudly in their opinions of Barack's family obligations, gift exchange, humility, and his decorum and appreciation of the everyday hallmarks of the great opportunities and individuals in American life.
When your President like Mr. Barack Obama then you get to get stuff, and I´m not just talking about the White House or the trigger to launch weapon of mass destruction. I am talking about a signed autographed basketball shoe from Mr. Shaquille O´Neil himself! I am starting to like the perks of being president, too bad I´ll never see the light of day in the White House.
The flock loyal to Bush compare him to Abraham Lincoln and "claim his failed policies were smashing successes," blogger Amanda Terkel noted. The former president's alumni Association has a facebook page, with links to: The Bush Record: Praise for President's Accomplishments.
5. The pride, as an attitude group, is fiercely loyal to Barack. This loyalty is sometimes anti-Bush. One comment called the Bush-Cheney Alumni, "t**d polishing lemmings." Another comment asked, "which federal prison is going to host the first anniversary?"
On Barack's end, the following post is typical: Barack's "recent address to the Muslim world (no less) at Cairo University was a masterpiece of oratory, cultural sensitivity and political savvy."
6. The attitudes of the those in the Den are the most dangerous. The Den culls its members from those who still call Barack a Kenyan Muslim, perceive his election as illegal and unconstitutional, and still feel no good in anything he does. The den opposes Barack, his policies, his legislative victories, his election as a violation of the constitution itself.
Den members cite the constitution like scripture. Passionate about resisting the modern direction of government, they hold firm allegiance to original founding principles, as the perceive them. Here's a post from the Heritage Foundation that reviews the Serve America Act against the lens of constitutional intent:
"Unfortunately, our history shows us when Government gets involved, it tends to take something that is working and make it not work nearly as well. Civil society works because it is everything Government is not. It is small, it is personal, it is responsive, it is accountable. Civil society must be protected from any effort to make it more like Government.
That is what we are doing with this bill today. This bill centralizes control of important functions of our civil society. There is a downside to good intentions here in Government. The Founders created a limited government and our oath to support and defend the Constitution means that is our focus here. Our oath is to a limited government. The Founders wanted the people to be free from our good intentions. Government charity is anathema to what our Founders intended and what our Constitution stands for. Despite our good intentions, where we try to implement those good intentions and our compassion through the force of Government, we are effectively violating our oath of office here."
Yet this same constitution guaranteed flexibility and the freedom to change government's role in the social order. The myth of government debacles overshadows the noble achievements crafted by American government: the end of slavery for more than 4 million individuals, national reconstruction after the civil war, the development of the world's largest, most advanced, best trained military defense forces, both personnel and weapons, the profusion of clean water systems in a majority of American communities, the development and management of a national park system, World War 2's Marshall Plan are all big projects carried out by government without inefficiency that enhanced civil society, at home and abroad.
Nor did government's role in developing, managing, or owning these vital civic projects result in problems of "lost" national character.
The Den also pushes the historical attitude that America was founded as a Euro-centric culture. One blogger wrote about Britain's English language initiative, the British government-supported movement to expand English language use by adding " billion English speakers in villages, towns, and cities of every continent" in the next 10 years. He had this to say about Obama's suggestion that Americans might enjoy learning Spanish: "And who cares about the U.K., anyway, since they have only been our most reliable ally over the past century and they are only the source of our original culture in this nation......we can find other people to suddenly like us, eh?"
Members of the Den render their attitudes by preparing for threats to their freedoms: the Den is the group responsible for the buy-out and run on bullets.
Here's a post from an ammunition manufacturer: "Client came to be asking about 5,000 rounds. Sure, no problem. Few hours later said 10,000 rounds monthly starting ASAP. I'll get the stuff ordered and start loading. Calls back again and says OK we'll take 10K now, 20K when that first 10K ships and then we'll probably take about 20K monthly after that. Just put us in the production schedule, call us when it's ready to ship and we'll pay over the phone."
No less than ESPN Outdoors Hunting website reported in March, 2009, "the ammunition boom is no dud:"
Concerns over what the election of Barack Obama portends for gun owners is the main cause for the inflated demand for ammunition. In fact, since last November's election ammunition has been flying off store shelves faster than you can say "microstamping," with sales increases topping 100 percent in many areas. Gun sales ramped up by 42 percent last November, but have cooled off slightly since. From Election Day to now, the monthly sales average for firearms has been about 29 percent higher than normal. February sales tailed off a bit, to slightly more than 23 percent over average, according to sales figures compiled by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
As always, Perlo endeavors to listen to all sides, and to bring you the widest net of views of the American people. You decide whether the prespectives of these comments represent analysis, the detailed research and review of policies and actions, in light of history and internal affairs, or whether they are attitude, colored by a predisposition, reviewed within fixed beliefs, reaching a conclusion we already knew.
A warning note: several of the quotes cited below have language which may be offensive to some readers, and should definitely not be read by young children, or young adults without parent's permission or guidance. The language is quoted for its factual value in sharing the tone of the national discussion.
Part one of the series appeared previously and described the first three groups characterized by their attitudes; today's post profiles the last three, and begins with number four.
4. Next are the flock. The flock are upbeat, but largely blind sheep. What distinguishes them from camp followers is their positive outlook and their sense of associated good works. They offer a litany of constant praise. They hail each new event as a milestone of welcome benefits.
Outside of the US is perhaps the best place to find an example of this group: Surprisingly, the People's Republic of China uses the attitudes of the flock. In their dealings with other nations, the Chinese offer constant praise, relentless expressions of gratitude. They speak in their official web postings, after high level meetings, of "deepening political trust," "friendly cooperation," "strengthening positive exchanges." This positive outlook is a major tool in China's diplomatic and foreign arsenal. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website glistens with glowing praise for the results of visits by over 20 high level officials from other countries. In fact, the Ministry's website continually flashes the words "Peace" and "Development."
The flock is extremely happy with Barack's personal initiatives to nurture social change. They embrace his use of mandates and the ritual style Confucius once suggested for how a leader should live and interact with others, and the forms of society in which he should participate.
From attending a soccer game or a Wizards game, planting the White House garden, walking the dog, listening to Sweet Honey and Stevie Wonder at White House concerts, writing notes for skipping school to attend town meetings, or receiving an autographed basketball shoe from Shaq, bloggers like the Loyal K*N*G applaud loudly in their opinions of Barack's family obligations, gift exchange, humility, and his decorum and appreciation of the everyday hallmarks of the great opportunities and individuals in American life.
When your President like Mr. Barack Obama then you get to get stuff, and I´m not just talking about the White House or the trigger to launch weapon of mass destruction. I am talking about a signed autographed basketball shoe from Mr. Shaquille O´Neil himself! I am starting to like the perks of being president, too bad I´ll never see the light of day in the White House.
The flock loyal to Bush compare him to Abraham Lincoln and "claim his failed policies were smashing successes," blogger Amanda Terkel noted. The former president's alumni Association has a facebook page, with links to: The Bush Record: Praise for President's Accomplishments.
5. The pride, as an attitude group, is fiercely loyal to Barack. This loyalty is sometimes anti-Bush. One comment called the Bush-Cheney Alumni, "t**d polishing lemmings." Another comment asked, "which federal prison is going to host the first anniversary?"
On Barack's end, the following post is typical: Barack's "recent address to the Muslim world (no less) at Cairo University was a masterpiece of oratory, cultural sensitivity and political savvy."
6. The attitudes of the those in the Den are the most dangerous. The Den culls its members from those who still call Barack a Kenyan Muslim, perceive his election as illegal and unconstitutional, and still feel no good in anything he does. The den opposes Barack, his policies, his legislative victories, his election as a violation of the constitution itself.
Den members cite the constitution like scripture. Passionate about resisting the modern direction of government, they hold firm allegiance to original founding principles, as the perceive them. Here's a post from the Heritage Foundation that reviews the Serve America Act against the lens of constitutional intent:
"Unfortunately, our history shows us when Government gets involved, it tends to take something that is working and make it not work nearly as well. Civil society works because it is everything Government is not. It is small, it is personal, it is responsive, it is accountable. Civil society must be protected from any effort to make it more like Government.
That is what we are doing with this bill today. This bill centralizes control of important functions of our civil society. There is a downside to good intentions here in Government. The Founders created a limited government and our oath to support and defend the Constitution means that is our focus here. Our oath is to a limited government. The Founders wanted the people to be free from our good intentions. Government charity is anathema to what our Founders intended and what our Constitution stands for. Despite our good intentions, where we try to implement those good intentions and our compassion through the force of Government, we are effectively violating our oath of office here."
Yet this same constitution guaranteed flexibility and the freedom to change government's role in the social order. The myth of government debacles overshadows the noble achievements crafted by American government: the end of slavery for more than 4 million individuals, national reconstruction after the civil war, the development of the world's largest, most advanced, best trained military defense forces, both personnel and weapons, the profusion of clean water systems in a majority of American communities, the development and management of a national park system, World War 2's Marshall Plan are all big projects carried out by government without inefficiency that enhanced civil society, at home and abroad.
Nor did government's role in developing, managing, or owning these vital civic projects result in problems of "lost" national character.
The Den also pushes the historical attitude that America was founded as a Euro-centric culture. One blogger wrote about Britain's English language initiative, the British government-supported movement to expand English language use by adding " billion English speakers in villages, towns, and cities of every continent" in the next 10 years. He had this to say about Obama's suggestion that Americans might enjoy learning Spanish: "And who cares about the U.K., anyway, since they have only been our most reliable ally over the past century and they are only the source of our original culture in this nation......we can find other people to suddenly like us, eh?"
Members of the Den render their attitudes by preparing for threats to their freedoms: the Den is the group responsible for the buy-out and run on bullets.
Here's a post from an ammunition manufacturer: "Client came to be asking about 5,000 rounds. Sure, no problem. Few hours later said 10,000 rounds monthly starting ASAP. I'll get the stuff ordered and start loading. Calls back again and says OK we'll take 10K now, 20K when that first 10K ships and then we'll probably take about 20K monthly after that. Just put us in the production schedule, call us when it's ready to ship and we'll pay over the phone."
No less than ESPN Outdoors Hunting website reported in March, 2009, "the ammunition boom is no dud:"
Concerns over what the election of Barack Obama portends for gun owners is the main cause for the inflated demand for ammunition. In fact, since last November's election ammunition has been flying off store shelves faster than you can say "microstamping," with sales increases topping 100 percent in many areas. Gun sales ramped up by 42 percent last November, but have cooled off slightly since. From Election Day to now, the monthly sales average for firearms has been about 29 percent higher than normal. February sales tailed off a bit, to slightly more than 23 percent over average, according to sales figures compiled by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
As always, Perlo endeavors to listen to all sides, and to bring you the widest net of views of the American people. You decide whether the prespectives of these comments represent analysis, the detailed research and review of policies and actions, in light of history and internal affairs, or whether they are attitude, colored by a predisposition, reviewed within fixed beliefs, reaching a conclusion we already knew.
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