"And surely I wasn’t the only person who winced at reports about the luxurious beach house the Obamas have rented, not because there’s anything wrong with the first family-elect having a nice vacation, but because symbolism matters, and these weren’t the images we should be seeing when millions of Americans are terrified about their finances." - Paul Krugman, NY Times, 12/25/2008Statements by progressive commentators like these drive me crazy. Obama grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. He's lived an exotic life and despite this, he was elected to be the 44th President of the United States. On some level, Hawaii needs to be demystified. And despite attempts by Townhall's Matt Lewis to claim otherwise, Hawaii has been a state since 1959. Obama's annual Christmas vacation should not be questioned. In fact, from what I've gathered, it's been a very personal experience.
Krugman is right: images matter, but so does context and without context or nuance we'll continue to be stuck in the mentality of the last eight years.
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I agree. Krugman is among my favorites, but this comment clanked.
ReplyDeleteObama deserves it, he can afford it, and he's probably saving the taxpayers a bundle, too, by taking a vacation in a secluded place. I remember reading once that HW got an itch to go skiing (which I did not at all begrudge). Cost to secure the mountain for one day, twenty-odd years ago: $300,000.
Krugman knows better. It's a shame he decided to spout right wing talking points.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think guys like PK look for opportunities to take a swipe at Obama, or other politicians with whom they more or less agree, so they can feel better about themselves as independent observers.
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