Liberty Postings

In search of hard-hitting news analysis and thoughtful opinion, I turned on The View this morning.  One of the “Hot Topics” was the assertion by our esteemed former president Jimmy Carter that much of the hostility that President Obama is receiving towards his policies is based on the fact that he is black.

First, I had to pause and really think back on the images I had seen on my TV over the past couple of years.  I had never before noticed that our president is black!  You must understand, I am not someone who sees color.  I look past a person’s skin and only notice the content of his character.  I see the beauty within.  In fact, I couldn’t even tell you my own skin color if you happened to ask.  I barely even notice that I have skin.

OK, point made.  I just can’t stand when someone pulls that “I don’t see a person’s color” garbage.  It’s such a lie.  Moving on …

Joy Behar, always the voice of well-reasoned logic, mentioned that Obama must have significant white support because he received 52% of the popular vote and that at one point his approval rating was around 70%.  Wow!  Joy Behar actually reached a conclusion that makes sense.  You should probably stop now, Joy.  No?  There’s more?  OK.  Ms. Behar when on to say that the 30% of people who didn’t approve of the president at the peak of his popularity must be the racist white folks.  That’s right, Joy.  The ONLY reason someone has to disapprove of President Obama’s job performance is his skin color.  It couldn’t be his views on health care reform, broken promises of transparency, a Treasury Secretary who doesn’t pay taxes, a global apology tour, airborne photo ops over lower Manhattan, a beer summit to discuss what should be a local matter, a national debt that is going to force us to come up with a word even more ridiculous than “kagillion” …

Are there people in this country who are going to dislike anything that President Obama proposes simply because he is black?  Yes, absolutely.  It’s the unfortunate truth.  Republicans need to stop acting shocked whenever this reality is mentioned.  And, if you don’t know what I mean, here’s an example of what you should not say anymore:  “What??  What an unsubstantiated accusation!  I am truly offended!  I would gladly vote for Alan Keyes or Clarence Thomas to be president!  Skin color has nothing to do with it.”  (Side note — You automatically lose any opportunity to contribute to a rational discussion once you voice support for Alan Keyes.)  Don’t act so incredulous.  It’s OK to admit that, yes, some people allow race to affect their vote.  You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) like it, but you are insulting and not really believable when you pretend the problem doesn’t exist.

On the other hand, I contend that a large majority of the people who are opposed to President Obama’s agenda have reached this opinion without any his race being even the smallest of factors.  Come on, liberals/progressives/Democrats (whatever label you prefer).  You know the policy positions of conservatives/Republicans/the party currently without a leader (again, pick a label).  And, if you do, you know that Obama’s goals run counter to their agenda.  If a person really is a conversative, of either the fiscal or social variety, she is not going to support the Obama administration, regardless of the President’s melanin content.

So, in summary –

1. Don’t pretend that race is not an issue for some people when deciding how they will vote.  It’s insulting and disingenuous.

2. Don’t pretend that race is the only reason a person is unable to support the policies put forth by a black president.  It’s insulting and overly simplistic.