Insulting our intelligence

Imagine anyone suggesting that some of us might be bitter about how screwed we are in Bush's America, and that some of the resentment of illegal immigrants might be related to that bitterness. Or that our insecurity might lead us to more fervent piety, or drive more extreme positions on social issues - like guns and gay marriage.

What elitist nonsense! Anyone who has ever listened to Rush Limbaugh knows that there is no connection between these conservative social policy positions and bitterness, let alone economic insecurity - right?

Sure - there have been some noteworthy examples in our history of conservatives placating poor white folks by playing on racial prejudices. And recently, we have seen how religious devotion can be manipulated for political purposes. We've seen an unpopular president, in a time of job losses and tax cuts for fatcats, respond by proposing a gay marriage amendment.

Is it all just my imagination, or do some politicians succeed by playing on our fears and prejudices, our insecurities and resentments? (Hint: Karl Rove)

I think Obama got it right, and some people are, of course, insulted.

But who insults their intelligence - and ours - more? Those that tell us the truth or those who hope to profit by denying and distorting the truth?

Don't let them get away with insulting our intelligence.

Technorati Tags: Hillary, McCain, Insulting our intelligence, Bitterness

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