Letters to the Editor
Christopher1988
Published Letters: 670 Editor's Choice: 46
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B-Man,
[Read the article: The Hillary and Bill show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The trouble with your analogy is the temper of the country. Which is leaning more towards conservative than liberal, Republican than Democrat (and the latter are rather famous for not voting is as large numbers). Though I grant you, I think the tenor of the country is not as steadfastly conservative/Rep as it has been.
Bush antagonizing Dems helped his campaign, made them look silly, made people more confident about choosing him. But simply reversing the roles, and aggravating conservatives/Reps won't do more to stir Dems to action (they seem as stirred as their going to be, already) and won't bring in as many swing votes. Indeed, it will likely push them to come out strongly against her at the poles.
Right now people are sick of what's happening in Washington, seem mostly okay with the change of power from Republican to Democrat, and may likely be persuaded to vote for a Democratic candidate. Put Hillary out there and it's a big flaming red sign: Super Liberal/Antagonistic To Much We Hold Dear/ Socialized Medicine. This is how conservatives, and I think much of Middle America, see her, and not because of some big spin machine but because she on a personal level does not sit well with them. No ad campaign is going to overcome that.
Enough people wanted to believe in "compassionate conservatism." It sounded good to them, and reached to a larger share of the country. But I don't think that Hillary is presenting a message that grabs outsiders (swing voters or genuine conservatives) in the same way.
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AnaHadWolves
[Read the article: The Hillary and Bill show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Um..Your response really misses the point.
Why? Because for anyone representing us in government to say they aren't proud to be an American indicates they aren't the sort of person to be representing America. It says their estimation of what being an American is isn't a deep-set thing based on the concept of our country and the people who live in it, but on the always transitory character of whoever happens to be in the White House at a given time.
To speak to your point, the very concept that we should not be proud to be Americans because other countries are angry with us is really ridiculous. Mainly because it's not America or Americans over all (or by their nature) causing the current animosity, but a particular man and his cronies and their agenda. It's one thing to say "I'm ashamed of Bush. I'm ashamed of his policy." It's quite another to say you're ashamed of America. America isn't George W. Bush and it isn't Repbulicanism. It's not Hillary or Democrats, either. It's the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, public schools, a legal system based on innocent until proven guilty, and the independent minds of the people. It's not transitory. It has existed since 1776.
Our estimation of ourselves should not come from the Danish or the Italians or the Chechs or anyone else. That is so antithetical to the American personality, it's rather astounding to consider. We decide what our worth is, as individuals and as a nation. Other people don't make that decision for us. And if you don't get that...well, I suggest you stop travelling so much and get more in touch with what this country is, and what its people are.
You aren't proud to be an American? That's your problem. And FYI, it is a problem.
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Too Bad for You.
[Read the article: The Hillary and Bill show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Too bad you're so jugemental. Too bad you can't see what makes this the greatest country on earth—and it is.
Those terrorists on 9-11 knew what they were attacking. They can use "Great Satan" polemics all they want to. The truth is, they were trying to assail the place that respects and protects freedom of thought, and prevents despotism, the place that allows even the people who hate us and reject us (oh, say yourself, for instance) to have their say. Our very existence makes what they want (to control thought, to control people) impossible. They knew what they would have to destroy if they were going to get control.
Of course, they're dead, and we're still here. I hope we we're still here a long time hence.
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Well, I think those are different kinds of pride.
[Read the article: The Hillary and Bill show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I agree with your point, to an extent. The pride in an accomplishment is one thing, but I think we are all proud of natural gifts we possess (to play music, to paint, to have an affinity for a sport, even to be good-looking when we or others find us such—and I'm talking about the basic possession of the gifts, not the work that goes into refining them).
And I think each of us is responsible for the upkeep of America. People are quite wowed by the extent to which we speak bluntly, to which we freely criticize our leaders. We continue the tradition in ways we sometimes aren't even aware of until someone points it out. I think we share in what makes America great, so I think even by your definition, we have a right to be proud.
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Good point, AKA Smith
[Read the article: The Hillary and Bill show]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks.