on why Barack Obama has a disconnect from the ordinary joe
By Paul from Chicago, IL - Mar 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm EDT
Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable ContentMSNBC’s Chris Mathews asked Bill Maher why Barack Obama has a disconnect from the ordinary joe male voter. Maher replied it was convincing the ordinary joe of who was his real problem - the corporate lobbyist.I would differ with that in the same honesty that Obama delivered the speech on Race. The crporate lobbyist is not a friend to ordinary joe, but the real disconnect from the ordinary joe is based on ambition & achievement.
Obama claims to be from humble origins, but he left them via ambition. The ordinary joe is a hard worker in most cases, though not always. Ambition dictates an “always on” modality to the perception of the ordinary joe.
The reality of the ordinary joe is the acceptance of the humble realities, which includes a lot of mediocrity, the “as is,” compromises, that are based on low finances or lack of support in real community. The Ordinary joe is isolated.
While I can see why Maher points to The Corporate Culture as a primary cause, and it is part of the cause; the deeper disconnect is a feeling that the Larger Society has abandoned the humanity of the ordinary joe for the assumption that the mechanism of “Social Order” is as well “Always On.”
For a crude/base example, color shades and color names. As it occurs the assumption that we will all see the same shade of “Blue” when the phrase “Blue Skys” is presented, is at once impossible. Social Order would ask the question, “don’t you get the metaphore of Good Times, when we say Blue Skys?”
It is not that ordinary joe does not understand the metaphore. on the contrary the ordinary joe lives inside the metaphore. The ordinary joe does not separate the realities of what is meaningful. things are what they are to the ordinary joe. what is meaningful to the ordinary joe is obvious because he is living it. ordinary joe does not live in the ivy league ambitious world of Social Order. ordinary joe makes stuff work based on what is available. this is where Maher sees the connection to “Market Forces.”
ordinary joe is wounded. ordinary joe was forsaken before during and after the Vietnam war, that was never declared. ordinary joe has been told the gifts of heaven would trickle down to him if he prayed the right way to the right god. ordinary joe could have all that he wanted if he worked hard, but those are promises that have gone unfulfilled, not just for the ordinary joe. the wound is classic. joe was disconnected.
joe is not going to connect because Obama is offering the holy grail of change. ordinary joe will not connect when he is asked to do something that is political, that is where Maher and Obama have failed to understand joe. it is not the global, the high minded metaphore that motivates joe. joe wants to see the cause and effect of promises fulfilled.
Secretly, joe admires the fact that Obama only ocasionally refers to the notes of the speech in front of him, because it says that some part of Obama knows those words. but there is distrust that he is just another fast talker, bull shit artist, politicion. what they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. joe is gun shy. joe has been taken advantage of. joe has been lost in the shuffle. joe has been sacraficed on the alter of Social Order.
Maher sees that as purely economic and in that same hyperbole i would agree that he is 99% correct. the 1% difference is basic about all differences. where is the proof? Obama left humble origins, and now he is claiming to be back. that otherness of qualifications, of experiences gathered elsewhere are all outside the experience of ordinary joe.
joe heard that Obama played basketball, maybe Obama should play some half court. meet joe half way at least. professors are well, professing, telling. joe wants to be shown. it is not an example of competition, it is one of fellowship. proof, in the putting of one’s self on the line, outside the uniforms of skin color, gender, education, economics or “issues.” right now, joe is lost in the crowd in the stands.
joe needs to see Obama’s game in action, because he can sure talk a good game.
on why Barack Obama has a disconnect from the ordinary joe
November 10th, 2008 TakeIT2 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
