The 'Myth of Exceptionalism'
Americans never get tired of hearing how wonderful we are, and politicians never get tired of indulging us. But Mike Gravel won't grovel that way for votes:
He is the anti-candidate, pricking Americans' exaggerated opinion of themselves, an opinion that the other candidates, the media, and the schools constantly reinforce. Gravel thinks America can change only by dispelling its comforting myth of exceptionalism.
"Our leaders are promoting delusional thinking when boasting that the United States and Americans are superior to the rest of the human race. We are no better and no worse," he says, in a highly unusual pitch for a candidate.
Gravel says "we’re number one" is a hollow slogan when the United States is actually number thirty-seven in health care and when 30 percent of students fail to graduate high school...
Gravel's platform would make him a mainstream Social Democrat in Europe. But in America, he's seen as either confused or mad.
Right. Americans voted for the Adolescent in Chief twice, but Gravel is the confused one.
Comments
I'm convinced many Americans can't stand the truth unless it's sugar coated and that's why men like Gravel don't have a chance.
I always thought Ross Perot should have won (I voted for him). He had the business acumen and intelligence. He was the quintessential Republican candidate when you think about it, but he was too honest for those business owners who put NAFTA and money ahead of jobs and people's livelihoods (Clinton included).
Sadly, I like Gravel's message, but I don't honestly think he'll get very far. The Hillary machine is too formidable.
Posted by: Kathy | June 13, 2007 05:18 PM
I voted for Perot too. He's another guy who didn't sugar coat what he said, whereas smooth-talking slick Willie pretended to be for the little guys while all the while planning to sell them out with NAFTA and welfare "reform."
Posted by: abi | June 13, 2007 06:18 PM
Gravel was a hero as a Senator and remains my forst choice as a candidate.
Others want celebs, folks they'd like to drink with, wafflers, etc. I'll take a truthteller any old time. I'm a grown up. I can handle the truth.
Posted by: Kevin Hayden | June 23, 2007 06:46 PM
Fred Thompson is a perfect example of what you're saying, Kevin. He's not even in the race yet and somehow he's a frontrunner. I love it when the media refers simply to "Thompson," as tho there's no other Thompson who has actually declared.
What a country...
Posted by: abi | June 24, 2007 10:39 AM