I'm sitting here watching Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech. And earlier today, I was thinking about the book Rainbow Fish. And they gel.
For the person out there that isn't familiar with this children's book, it is about a fish that is beautiful and vain. He has shiny colorful scales. He thinks he is better than the other fish, and doesn't want to play with them. One of the other small fish asks the Rainbow Fish for a scale, and he refuses. After that, the other fish ostracize him until he give away all of his scales to them, except for one. Then he can play with the other fish.
Of course, those that have bestowed awards on this book subscribe to the idea that it is about sharing. Not having possessions is good. One shouldn't have any more than anyone else.
But, I see something darker here. The Rainbow Fish is essentially forced to buy friends, and his wealth is redistributed. At it's core, it is an anthem for Socialism. The Rainbow Fish has something that the other fish don't have... and they want it. So, they pressure him to give it to them.
And so here I sit...
Listening to Barack Obama talking about all of the things he wants to give away. But, he doesn't want to give away what he has. He wants to give away what OTHERS have. Instead of rewarding people that go above and beyond, they should be taxed more heavily.
And while it doesn't exactly line up with the book, what I am seeing is that Obama and the throngs cheering him think that this country is great BECAUSE of its government, not that it is great in spite of the intrusions of government.
Finally, I would recommend reading Alexis de Toqueville's Democracy in America. He saw this coming 175 years ago.
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I'd love to hear from you...
Lane,
I think Barack Obama did an amazing job delivering his acceptance speech tonight and I hope, for the USA and for the world, that he is the next President of the USA.
Jo
This is the time of the year when my pessimism is at its highest. They sure know how to appeal to their base of supporters.
Lane,
Thank heaven's I was finishing executing a contract tonight and didn't have to suffer through Obama...b/c yes, I would have watched it.
Jo-Anne,
I hope not...reduce taxes? Ha, he'll say anything to get into the White House.
I'd trust Hillary with the US decisions before I would trust him and I'm a Republican.
Lane:
Did you see the platform? Geeeze what a camera trick/god complex. If you don't get it...I won't bother explaining it. ;)
Your analogy made perfect sense and was spot on. It's a crying shame what "Americans" will exchange to comfort their fears and be provided for. This country deserves everything is about to get. Some people must have slept through world history. Only the names change...
Lane, great analogy! I hope that enough people will wake up and smell the coffee to actually see what this election could cost us!
Lane you are so correct. He is into big time wealth redistribution. Socialism 101.
Jessica I totally agree with you. I think the problem is that loads of Americans did not notice the camera angles and the way he was presented. God help us.
Jo-Anne - I hope for the good of the world and the US that he isn't. McCain wouldn't have been my first choice, but he is the choice I am left with. After seeing his amazing performances over the last few months, I am still left with the fact that Obama is not only NOT an agent of change (except to "change" himself into President), but that he is an empty suit with a complete lack of understanding about how things work outside of the Chicago Machine.
Terry - You say appeal, I say pander.
Karen - It was a good watch. I wish I could speak like him. If only he used his powers for the purpose of GOOD...
Jessica - Next, should I go after kid's soccer where they don't keep score because they don't want to label anyone a loser?
Tony & Darcy - It is more than the election... and the election is more than just President...
Kevin - Funny thing... Fox News was the camera provider for the pool... And anyone trying to make the point that they were anti-Obama just lost the case... They obviously didn't get the memo to make him look bad.
Lane ~ Marxism is the core of Obama's message. It is not new, even though many people including some here in AR say that wealth distribution is a good thing? They will still do well, they say. Stalin would be proud of the liberal democrat nominee Barak Hussein Obama. Yes, I did use his middle name, sorry.
Nicholas - Take a look at Liberation Theology and Black Liberation Theology. His church of 20 years is led by folks that are at the forefront of BLT... And using his middle name is pointless. It doesn't matter if it is Hussein. He is his own person. We don't need to attack him for imagined issues... there are plenty of real problems he needs to face.
Oh my Lane - I have to admit, I've never given such "deep" thought to Rainbow Fish!
I love my children's books and I love my politics but to mix them -
Debbie - The things we teach them when they are young stick with them. I am learning to be very careful... especially regarding speaking in traffic.