Bachmann to Axe Education Department

Karla - posted on 09/06/2011

Have you seen the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Whenever I hear Bachmann talk I feel as though I’m the character Everett when he says “I don’t get it Big Dan,” and I expect I’ll be knocked up-side the head with a 2 X 4 if there is ever a President Michele Bachmann.



(Actually I feel that way with any libertarian and most of today’s republicans.)



"Can someone explain to me what it is about the American psyche that attracts people to candidates like Bachmann or Pawlenty and figures such as Sarah Palin. I've been trying to understand this for several years. It does not appear to just be about liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right. I thought for a while it was a fear of change, but these people want to make vast changes that could destroy America. Please explain it to me like I'm an alien...... (which I'm sure I would be in that circle)"



I decided to attempt this… lol



It’s all about talking points; those feel good catch phrases that capture the emotions. Things like patriotic, back to what the founding fathers intended, working Americans, cut government intrusion; and it’s about framing opposing views as negative, such as “government takeover of healthcare,” “Welfare moms,” “government always equals less freedom.”



From what I have read these talking points come from right wing think tanks. No, I’m not paranoid; I’ve learned this from reputable sources, such as newspapers and investigative reporters rather than blogs.



The next question is “what is their goal?” How can goals that, when computed, equal a worse American society rather than a better society be agreeable to anyone? It’s all about personal financial gain. All I know is a few influential people look only at their personal economic future and do not think of the society as a whole. The consequences of having the majority of the nation’s citizens being unhealthy, uneducated, and in a low socio-economic position are not considered; the long term effects of which would definitely make nearly everyone in the nation less successful.



And finally, why do so many people fall in support of this “no government” agenda? Well the talking points reach their emotions and their gut reaction is to protect their way of life. The issues have been framed in a way that makes it seem as though the right-wing politicians are the only ones who can protect America. Since a strong education is already lacking they believe the talking points without question. Obama talks about the need to be globally competitive in Math, Science and Technology, but if our citizens do not know their History than we are definitely doomed.



When these politicians talk about getting rid of the ED their supporters aren’t remembering the years when education was the parent’s responsibility, and the huge portion of the population who could not read, and worked in factories or on farms from the age of 8, and went without an education. The same lack of knowledge is evident with the lack of understanding of the reasons behind other government programs and why they were adopted in the first place; including the reasons we have labor unions and government labor relations programs.



The government protections we have today are taken for granted rather than being valued. The pains of those who came before us are forgotten by too many of our citizens.



Now mind you, plenty of conservative backers dispute my opinion on these things; I understand, it does sound like I’m calling them stupid for falling for yellow journalism, but that’s still my opinion. My knowledge of history guides this opinion.

Jen - posted on 09/06/2011

Color me depressed after that one.