They Just Don't Get It

In the last few days, I've read an amazing array of political analysis of the many speeches given at the Democratic National Convention. Although I saw similar comments in other articles, Ruben Navarette's remarks on Obama's speech stood out in my mind. He described Obama's comments on economic issues as a "hybrid of left-right economic theory that sounded like a bundle of contradictions." Here's an excerpt from his article on cnn.politics.com

He explained it as "the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise and fall as one nation" and described it as blending "individual responsibility and mutual responsibility." Simply put: You have to do what you can for yourself, but that you also have to do for others.

There is the rub: If everyone were to adhere to the first part, there will be no need for the second. Besides, even if we buy the idea that, as Obama said, "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper," there is still the question of whether government should do the keeping.

Navarrette moved on to Biden's speech continuing to point out these so called contradictions. Like Bush and McCain, Navarette just doesn't get it. Just as Bill Gates and others have called on the richest nations to help alleviate world poverty and conquer disease in some of the poorest countries, the same should be done at home. There is no excuse for anyone in this country to be hungry or without medical care. Sometimes you can do everything for yourself and it's just not enough. Sometimes people need a hand (not to be confused with a handout) and the government can help.

I grew up under those circumstances. I never knew my grandfather. A WWII vet, he died suddenly at the age of 47 and my father dropped out of high school in an effort to keep the family farm afloat. My father struggled for years but eventually failed in his effort. Along the way, he married my mother and she bore three children of which I'm the eldest. My father grew up farming and knew nothing else. However, farm work did prepare him to operate heavy equipment and I remember when he began driving a dump truck for a local construction company to put food on the table. We lived with my grandmother for about five years until he went to work as a farm laborer and got a house in the bargain.

Unfortunately, there still wasn't enough income to feed three children so we received food stamps and free lunches at school (both programs signed into law by Democratic presidents). My family was never poor enough to qualify for welfare but we needed a hand. That assistance from the government helped my parents through some very hard times. My father struggled for years working long hours in the fields to support us. My mother stayed home to raise us while also earning money sewing and styling hair. They sacrificed everything to give us a chance to succeed in the world and it was only possible through the help of these government programs.

My parents still don't have much but they no longer require government assistance. Thanks to programs that are funded through taxes on the wealthiest citizens, my family had food on the table and my siblings and I were given a chance to pursue the American Dream. I know our story is not unique so it's really amazing that McCain and Navarrette just don't get it.