Sunday, February 5, 2012

What's Out of Context?

Romney's statement, “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there.  If it needs a repair, I’ll fix it.” is so reprehensible on so many levels, whether "out of context" or "in context", it should be repeated when ever his name is mentioned and tattooed backward on his forehead so he will be reminded of it whenever he looks in a mirror.

Beyond the obvious insensitivity of the remark and its underlying callous disregard of fellow Americans, the reference to "a safety net" seems to imply that no one really ever gets hurt by poverty.  (And I'm not arguing about the definition of the word poverty.)

"Safety net"  "Safety net"  "Safety net"

The fact that one would even need a "Safety net" implies that one is in danger, that one's situation is precarious.  Having to depend on a "safety net" is not to live with full dignity or with the promise of America.

Do we really want to "own" an America where the poor are both taken for granted and dismissed as irrelevant?

The fact that Romney even acknowledges the need for social programs that comprise the "safety net" - a very anti-Republican admission - undermines his entire political position; while admitting that such social programs might even need fixing, he dismisses the issue as a kind of "non-issue".

No matter what the context, whether "in" or "out" of context, Romney's statements belie his real belief that the poor don't count in his world view.  Their plight, their lives, their beliefs, their needs, their wants, their dreams, their families, even their votes are of little or no consequence to him.

3 comments:

Cubby said...

Well put.

Russ Manley said...

Yeah, and that safety net is mighty damn thin and full of gaping holes. You can bet your boots that Mr. Rich Kid has never once had to use it, and has never in his life had to choose between making a car payment or paying the light bill, never once had to go without prescription meds because there was no money to buy them with, never once had to pound the streets in worn-out shoes knocking on doors looking for a job, never once had to settle for a peanut butter sandwich for his dinner.

Like me, and millions of others who were not born with all the advantages money could buy.

And I could go on. But the point is self-evident just from his one throwaway remark.

Bob said...

Perfection.

He should'a stopped with “I’m not concerned about the very poor."

Because he means that.

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