As I listen to some of the featured speakers at the Democratic Convention, it sure seems like they give a very confusing message. On the one hand they speak of their upbringing, the struggles they and their parents faced, the obstacles they had to overcome, and how all of that proves that the American dream is alive and that all things are possible. If this is all you heard from them you would be led to believe that they believe that government played little if any role in their advancement. It was a personal struggle and a personal triumph. So why are they running for office? Well if you listen to their other message you would get the impression that the American dream is only possible if government is involved. They want to be in office so they can impose all kinds of programs and entitlements, because without these things people will not be able to overcome their own struggles. I can understand that not all people have the support system that these speakers apparently had while growing up; and I can understand the desire to provide opportunities for people, but can't these people see the disconnect between their own lives and stories (if their stories are what they say they were) and what it is they want government to do? If their stories are true, they make for good, inspirational stories. And it shows something about their character, which is why they are telling these stories. But what makes them so compelling is that they are stories of personal sacrifice and dedication. Seems to me they would be less of a story if all the credit went to some impersonal government program.
One more Convention note: Did you notice that they were playing "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" when Bill Clinton was introduced at the convention? That was his campaign theme song back in 1992. It made sense back then. Now the words "yesterday's gone" brings new meaning for the Clintons. I thought it was a bit ironic.
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