Sen Obama's speech on race

Read the transcript here

If you haven't read it yet, maybe you should. I'm not saying that I support any of the candidates but, I think that this speech was a rare thing. I think we saw a politician be honest. There were some things that I didn't agree with but some things really hit home. As a white male who has worked for everything I have, I think that Sen Obama has a very good grasp on what worries my demographic when it comes to race. I think the fear of having my family suffer to support another family is a real one. But, (there's always a but) as much as I think Sen Obama has a good grasp on the problem I disagree with his optimism of the American people... or of people in general. He talked about working to allow people to help themselves. It's a conservative stance and I really like that idea but then he went onto say that most people want what is good for their family and will work towards that end. I think some people want what's good for their family and will strive to achieve a better standard for their family then they had themselves. I also think most people are lazy sacks of crap that would lean on Uncle Sam's dime until the second coming.

A long time ago I asked my mom a question that still nags me to this day. Why are there 35 yr olds working the drive through at McDonalds? The ideological answer might be that everyone has their demons to face and these people hit a rough patch and are going to work their way to a better life. That they know the minimum wage isn't a living wage and they are striving to a better tomorrow. The truth is that some people are happy being sacks of crap. When I asked my mom this she gave me a piece of info that I have found true over and over again.

80/20

It goes something like this. 80% of the people you meet are lazy poop bags and will be content just making it through life. 20% will work hard and achieve. So, 80% 'bad' 20% good. 80% of the parents of your childs classmates will not go to PTA meetings, meet with teachers or investigate their child's progress. 20% will. Also, 20% of America owns 80% of the stuff, and 80% owns 20% of the stuff. I've heard this from a good amount of people since then and it usually fits in most situations.

So I have a quandary... a quagmire of logic if you will, I like small government. I love this crazy idea of state sovereignty and a federal government that is in charge of a standing military, regulating currency and managing trade between states and internationally and that is it. If Arizona wants to make marring a horse legal then its ok. If Alaska wants to regulate marijuana sales then so be it. Small government... get out of my life, get out of my wallet.

On the other hand I feel that if left to their own devices most people would simply self destruct. I really do feel that some people are too stupid to govern themselves. I would love to have a law that states that a parent must meet with their students teacher three times to discuss their students progress every year or that student does not complete that grade. I would love to force idiot kids to pull up their pants. I would think it would be great to take all the cars that have stereos over a certain decibel and have them incinerated. Yep, there's a part of me that wants the 1984 - big brother, we have a camera in your house so do your exercises and you better mow your lawn, government. As long as they don't have any laws that infringe on my rights. Funny how that works huh.

So, in conclusion... I feel that we are coming close to a time that your level of achievement is based by a far majority on your ability and work ethic then it is on your race. I think that the major problems in this country are perpetuated and often created by our media. I do not think that the government should have the authority to tell us what can be broadcast on TV but I also have no faith that anyone in any of the media would stand up against the crap they are shelling out at the risk of even a minor pay cut. Honestly, I think MTV has done more to ruin this country then anything else. BTW... the television station that tells you what cool is and how to wear your pants is run by old white people and you're making them rich.