Barack Obama Is A Member Of America’S Political Elite

The term, ‘elite’, is a compliment, regardless of its deliberate misuse by corporate media hacks and wild-eyed political partisans. Barack Obama Is A Member Of America’s Political EliteBy Cliff Montgomery – June 12th, 2008Elite (from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary):a: singular or plural in construction : the choice part : cream <the elite of the entertainment world>b: singular or plural in construction : the best of a class <superachievers who dominate the computer elite — Marilyn Chase>c: singular or plural in construction : the socially superior [i.e., “of higher rank, quality, or importance”] part of society <how the elite live — AP World> <how the French-speaking elite…was changing — Economist>d: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence <members of the ruling elite> <the intellectual elites of the country>e: a member of such an elite —usually used in plural <the elites …, pursuing their studies in Europe — Robert Wernick>The neo-conservatives who in the past seven years have come close to ruining this great country, this “last, best hope” of humanity, have decided to tell us that Illinois Senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-IL) is a flat-out member of our elite.We believe the neo-cons actually are right on this one. Barack Obama almost certainly is a member of America’s elite. But unlike the neo-cons, we at The Spark both know and care what the word actually means.The term, “elite”, is of course a compliment, regardless of its deliberate misuse by corporate media hacks and wild-eyed political partisans. As anyone can see above, the word means “the best of the best,” or “the cream of the crop.”And though we step back from officially endorsing Sen. Obama, or any presidential candidate, it’s clear that America needs the best, most qualified person it can find to handle the most powerful and important job on Earth during these trying times.Of course, neo-cons and partisan pundits have every right to their own views–but not to their own dictionary.Why is this seemingly trivial point an issue? Because words matter, they have real meaning. We think in terms of our language, and act according to our thoughts.Thus when any group deliberately misuses words during a debate, the fraud can only poison the debate if it is not soon detected.It’s clear that whoever we pick to be our next White House representative, that person must be the most able, intelligent and qualified American we can find for the job. That person must be the best of the best–that person must be one of America’s political elite. Our future depends on it.In dangerous moments, it is simple common sense to choose the best person one may hire to handle a particularly demanding job.If you or a loved one is ill, you will naturally search for the best doctor you can hire to cure the sickness.If you are in legal straits, you will search among the very cream of lawyers for a skilled individual who may get you out of that mess–or at least choose the very best attorney your budget will allow.So are we to believe that when it comes to hiring the right person to handle the single most important job in the world–during one of America’s most trying moments–we must not choose from the very best individuals in our political arena, but instead hire someone solely by their dinner habits, or whether they can bowl a perfect game?Imagine using such an asinine philosophy to choose a doctor for your sick child. You’re not going to let an educated, elitist doctor handle the brain surgery–you’ve chosen your fishing buddy to perform this delicate operation. He’s a good man, who will just “feel his way” through the operation.You know he can perform this brain surgery, because he’s your friend and a fine fisherman…Seven years ago, neo-cons talked America into a bold experiment: We weren’t going to hire one of the political cream of the crop to be our president. We were going to hire everybody’s college drinking buddy–someone who clearly isn’t the smartest, the most able, or the most curious…someone who isn’t much of anything. He would simply “feel his way” from crisis to crisis…And today, this country shows the horrible effects of such foolishness.Senator Obama, as well as GOP presidential nominee and long-time Washington insider Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), are each exceptionally intelligent, especially curious and particularly able in political matters–more so than most of their fellow Americans.Then again, so was Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. And George Washington. And Abraham Lincoln. And John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and both Roosevelt presidents. Yet these men are remembered fondly by a grateful nation for their fine service to this country.And never–never–have Americans thought to judge them solely by their dinner habits.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!