[Ailist] Appreciation vs. Cynicism

[Kevin Kervick]

Well, that's the rub I suppose.  Ms. Obama is running for first lady of the country.  As such she is speaking for the country, or she should.  The "us" necessarily is the collective identity of the United States of America.  If she cannot contextualize herself as connected to the us and advocate for the US as her "us" then I would not be able to endorse her husband for President.  That's the distinction.  Respectfully, I do not believe that someone should represent the country from the position of the perspective of someone outside the country.  It's pretty simple, really.  There is an American identity that Presidents need to embody.  If they cannot accommodate to that stance that's fine, we are free, but it disqualifies one from being President in my opinion.  I want someone that loves this country, warts and all.  And appreciates us.

Furthermore, most social indicators improved dramatically in this country from about 1985 to 2001.  Crime dropped dramatically.  Youth improved across the board.  Volunteerism rose dramatically.  Charitible giving was way up.  The economy was great.  Poverty declined.  So, she is just plain wrong on the issues.

The related issue is whether or not Ms. Obama speaks for her husband.  If she does then I think he has problems.

Kevin
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  With Ms. Obama's quote, some questions that beg to be asked for me are:

  §    What does she mean by the 'US'-is she talking about all the individuals who collectively make up a country that is called the US?  Is she talking about how the US is seen by others in the world? Is she talking about the collective impact the US is having now (for itself and in the world) as compared to say 1776 or 1965 or 1990?