Letters to the Editor
MaddieP
Published Letters: 708 Editor's Choice: 9
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As a black woman
[Read the article: Quote of the Day]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I can attest to both sexism and racism in our society. And if I feel i'm being treated in some -ism sort of way I can often tell which way it is but who's doing the treating.
I can also say however, in all honesty, that i think much of the bias against Hillary was Clinton-ism. Yes, we all subconsciously view women differently - that doesn't make us sexist automatically. But people are MORE USED TO seeing women in positions of influence than say, Black people in positions of influence and therefore, I believe any voting bias against her because of her gender is extremely rare. That is NOT to say that gender didn't play a role in how she was perceived etc I am simply saying that it only cost her votes in rare circumstances.
(After all, if people were afraid of a woman running things, she would have TANKED after the New Hampshire tears incident. People would have said "see?! women aren't fit for the job!" Instead she won it. A sign that we wanted to see her humanity instead of the Clinton-ism position of her as a purely ambitious razorblade of a person.)
I think she was done in by poor campaign management, adverse feelings about the Clinton Dynasty, failure to really read and understand the American psyche, reliance on past proven political tactics (ie fundraising and old style campaigning), technological impairment and a well executed campaign by a dynamic rival who, as a virtual unknown, was prepared for an uphill battle on all fronts.
I don't dislike Hillary whatsoever. I think its insulting to her as a woman and as a candidate to reduce her losses to simple sexism. I have NEVER have played the race or gender card with respect to my own shortcomings and would probably dismiss anyone who was click to "come to my aid" with these as explanations of for own failures before I have first had a chance to examine real, concrete reasons for them first.
Don't do Hillary any "favors". She made plenty of mistakes in this primary. As the woman I believe she is, she will learn from them and doesn't need people to cry SEXISM on her behalf.
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Obama and white working class
[Read the article: How much can John Edwards help Barack Obama?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Some of these people are never going to change their minds. He knows that. I think its important to distinguish between with so-called white working class and the rural or Appalachian white working class. Demographically they are different.
I think that the white working class (i.e. those in PA and OH and places like that) are not patently racist, in general. And that many of them could be persuaded to vote their interest, not some side issue generated by the GOP. Ultimately I think these people will come around but we need to be sure to educate them about McCain's plans and what he REALLY means when he says the things he says.
Obama's strategy for the GE in those lower-income rural/Appalachian locations must be more intensive. Feet on the ground and constant eduction (or helping these voters 'decode' the slick talk they will hear constantly on their religious radio stations, talk radio stations, in church and at the barber shop).
The task is to persuade people to understand the issues and not to fall for side-track arguments. The task is to explain to people in detail the difference between what happens with JOBS if McCain is elected and how that differs if the DEMOCRAT is elected (notice I said THE DEMOCRAT, not Barak Obama). To explain what happens with healthcare if McCain gets elected and what happens with health care if the democrat get elected.
This cannot be done through a series of TV commercials, although he will no doubt run them. It must be an on-going educational outreach to get people THINKING and VOTING the issues and resisting being easily sidetracked.
In many ways, this is what has already happened in so many other areas of the country. People are not as receptive to sidetrack issues (yes, they are fun and juicy but they don't seem to really stick lately). Why has this happened? Because people are sick and tired, yes, but also because they have access to so much information. Many people in these remote rural areas do not. Its our job to get them caught up with the rest of the country in this regard. It will take work.
Will it work?
In some places it will be more effective than in others. IN the northern industrial zones, it will be comparatively easy. Both will require informed and well-versed friends and family members to be active in their communities on an on-going basis right up until the election date. It will require vigorous campaigning by surrogates and whomever Obama chooses as his VP. It will require 'plain talk' to communicate our principles to these voters. The good news is that our "lengthy" primary season has laid the groundwork for this network and there are ardent supporters in all 50 states. Obama's campaign in particular has been very successful in establishing campaign centers (11 in WV) and directing their activities based on the specific needs of that community. And we have evidence that it works. Time and time again when Obama was trailing in the polls in a given state, we saw strong gains wherever there was active campaign activity.
He won't win them all. But no one could anyway.
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Complain all you want
[Read the article: Ignore the McCain vs. Obama polls]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You are free to leave the country. Perhaps start your own.
You are free to DO SOMETHING to change the things you rant about.
You are free to rant about every politician and the MSM and all the other no-brain, lying, wealth-worshipping evildoers out there - and continue to look like an idiot.
So what are you DOING ABOUT IT?
Let me guess. Its' SO CORRUPT there's nothing that CAN be done, right?
yeah.....