Demonstrators at this past weekends rally at the U.S. Capitol carried a powerful message. They toted signs with photos of President Obama wearing a Hitleresque moustache. There were signs that called Obama a socialist, a Marxist and even a Nazi. There were signs calling him a Muslim Kenyan and an African Lyin. There were signs stating Bury Obamacare with Kennedy and We came unarmed (this time). The only things they were lacking were torches and pitchforks.
These messages were not just tasteless and threatening. They were revealing. They exposed those who carried them as a rabble of misinformed racists who are angry and arent going to take it anymore. But they cant even say what it is. All they seem to know is that President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are the problem.
Could it be that these people simply cant accept an African-American and a woman as our nations leaders?
Of course, Republicans dismiss any such claims. Theyre fond of pointing to the demonstrations against President Bush. However, theres a significant difference. During the Bush administration, political opponents attacked his policies. During the Obama administration, the opponents seem to want to attack Obama. And not just with words. Why else would the demonstrators feel it necessary to threaten violence? Why else would they feel the need to bring guns to demonstrations?
If it were economic policy that concerned these people, they would be protesting against Bush for overseeing the first real decline in median household income in recent history. If the issue was spending, these people would have brought out the torches and pitchforks during the Reagan years or as the result of the $2 trillion war in Iraq. If it were the housing crisis and resulting financial meltdown that concerned them, they would be looking to lynch Bush, Greenspan and Henry Paulson. And if rationed health care was the problem, they would be surrounding the headquarters of United Health Group, Cigna and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
No, these people are not angry about policy. They believe their country is being taken away by a black man and a powerful woman. Theyve been fuming for many years as theyve seen African, Asian and Latino immigrants arrive in large numbers. Theyve been told that their values and religions are under attack. Theyve been told that President Obama hates white people. Theyre easily manipulated by Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill OReilly, Rush Limbaugh and organizations such as Fox News Network and Dick Armeys FreedomWorks. Theyre encouraged by elected officials like Dick Cheney, Sen. DeMint, Rep. Boehner and Rep. Cantor. Worse yet, theyre given publicity and credibility by a media too lazy or afraid to expose them for what they really are.