Let them eat cake
April 6th 2010 06:37
Of all the crimes a modern politician in the United States can be accused of, being out of touch is nearly the worst. In America in particular, the phrase carries weight that goes all the way back to the Revolution. It suggests not only personal malfeasance but disregard for the institutions and founding philosophy of the nation, and the paternalistic principle behind the “central committee” system of Soviet communism, among other things. It should have no place in a representative democracy where officials are supposed to represent their constituents, much less one that once fought a war over taxation without representation.
That is what makes the suggestion that opponents of the health care bill will “learn to love” it particularly offensive. Public anger is based not only on the details of the bill but also the inherent implication that Congressional Democrats know what their constituents need better than those constituents. Not only do they seem to be fiddling while Rome burns (unemployment rate: 10% and rising), they seem to be dismissing dissent with a hand-wave worthy of Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake!” “Learn to love Obamacare!” The sentiment is surprisingly similar the second time around. But let’s just hope it doesn’t have to end in the same way.
That is what makes the suggestion that opponents of the health care bill will “learn to love” it particularly offensive. Public anger is based not only on the details of the bill but also the inherent implication that Congressional Democrats know what their constituents need better than those constituents. Not only do they seem to be fiddling while Rome burns (unemployment rate: 10% and rising), they seem to be dismissing dissent with a hand-wave worthy of Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake!” “Learn to love Obamacare!” The sentiment is surprisingly similar the second time around. But let’s just hope it doesn’t have to end in the same way.
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