For some time now, there has been a lot of anguish over the apparent (better yet obvious) dumbing down of America. The pegging of standards for educational curricula to the LCD (lowest common denominator) is one reason why the Chinese and others are leaping past us in science and math--and causing oil prices to be so high, among other issues, because of their business smarts. In many quarters, it just isn't "cool" to be too smart. You know --the geeks and nerds like say Bill Gates. Who wants to be like him??
Nevertheless, it's really disturbing that for a job as important as President of the U.S. there appears to be a concerted effort to dumb down the campaign rhetoric. First, Hillary Clinton, a brilliant Ivy League law graduate, tried mightily to dumb down her image to appeal to vast swaths of LCD's. Sadly, she was moderately successful, which has now caused Barack Obama, being criticized for being an elitist, to try to almost deny that he's an intellectual and (gasp!)smart to boot. Look what's happened for the past 8 years under the ultimate LCD president(proud of his "gentleman's C's", probably paid for by Poppy). Talk about change--a smart chief executive would be quite a contrast. It's not a job for dummies, as the incumbent has painfully proven.
Also, isn't it interesting that Obama, a black man with no significant background or social status, is being criticized as too elitist by country club white Republicans who would never have accepted him in their elite environs. This is a great country after all--it's time for the July 4th reminders of this in case you've forgotten.
Speaking of dumb--could anyone really care about the fashion and makeup habits of the candidates' spouses? Recently, it was breathlessly reported that Michelle was seen at the East Bank Club pool in Chicago without makeup. Does this reflect badly on the candidate? I'm sure that if Hillary had won, there would be renewed interest in whether Bill wears boxers or briefs. Of course, that question was originally posed BM (before Monica).
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4 comments:
I couldn't agree more, TNB. I'm also disturbed by Sen. Obama's pandering to the religious folks. That said, a logical mistake is often made by politicians. That is, they assume that the faithful are anti-intellectual and right wing. There are many God fearing people who are liberal and smart. Go after them, Obama!!
Very insightful blog....it is pretty scary out there. You could make a movie out of this situation and play it at the Normal Theatre. I only wish there was a warm weather city in Canada!!!:)
Excellent piece. I was nodding in agreement as I read. Don't we want a member of the educated elite to be President? What is wrong with that?
Why is it assumed by politicians that if they swill beer with the common "folk" that makes them seem more likable. Even the people they are pandering to want their children to have a good education and decent jobs.
And, my new pet peeve...politicians calling people "folks" to seem folksy. (even our own member of the educated elite, abrightman, is now using that word)
This will sound elitist but don't the "common folk" vastly outnumber the educated elite? This still doesn't mean that we reach down to LCD for our leaders.
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