Why the speech was remarkable

[gabeana]

"Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends."

The above line stood out to me because that's been the crux of our political history. They (politicians)exploit us by whatever means necessary be it crime, race, class. Look at our prison population #1 in the world or look at the immigration issue, My life sucks, my job left so its the Mexicans fault, All Americans can use this excuse not just white after all there are black and latino members in the minute men. This has been our history of using fear to divide us. Ben Franklin complained too many Germans were coming to America "they are the dumbest from their land, They will germanize us instead of us Anglicizing them." Or the French that were hated during John Adams administrations where Jacobin's heresies were scoured for in Newspapers. We all know the horrible treatment of the Irish - who were referred to the missing link between ape and civilized man, the Italians, Eastern Europeans, Jews, all have been scapegoated. Politicians playing on racial antagonism of the Irish against the new Chines immigrant. Or the plantation owners in Hawaii a 100 or so years ago exploited the racial division between Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and portuguese laborers for monetary gain. These plantation owners mind you were the political power in Hawaiian islands during this period. All this done with the approval of most Americans from all walks of life. A book that should be required any reading on Poly Sci 1 is the Prince by Machiavelli - ends justify the means. Thats the creed of our government and government from all over the world.

Obama instead of trying to make us feel good, he asked us to think, be introspective. Ask us to confront our own prejudices, whatever they may be.

Thats what makes this speech remarkable

[elizm]

1. You are so right...

He asked us to THINK. It was brilliant. But I knew it would be. He has never disappointed me! :)

[polpilot]

9. He'll make a great president..Michelle will make sure of that. What a team!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

2. kick

[99th_Monkey]

3. K&R - very well said.

:kick:

[sorrybushisfromtexas]

4. kick

kick, kick, kick

[JimGinPA]

5. A Lot Of Truth In Your OP

:kick:


Rec

[gabeana]

8. Thanks

I think we can all appreciate this regardless of candidate or party we support

[Ninga]

6. Well written, well said. nt

[helderheid]

7. I'm trying to express how I'm feeling and am at a loss for words.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Your point is very well taken. Made me rethink a few things, that's for sure.

[populistdriven]

11. Bil Clinton did this to the extreme