I overheard a conversation yesterday ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

that helped me understand why President Obama's "You Didn't Build That" message was so offensive to the gop; while largely understood, if not accepted, by nearly everyone else ... and yes, it comes down to the life experiences of demographic groups.

Yesterday, while shopping with Mrs. 1StrongBlackMan, I got tired and took a seat in a coffee-shop lounge. There was a group of eight men, (that looked to be) aged 50-something to 80-something. A couple of the older people were clearly immigrants from Eastern Europe (as evidenced by their thick accents) and the younger ones, from what I could gather were 2nd or, maybe 3rd, generation Americans. They, apparently, did not know one another; but like me, were seeking refuge from an unending day of shopping with the Mrs.

They were discussing how terrible a second term for President Obama would be. It was all the usual fox talking points that we hear all the time; but they seemed to be focused on everyone (else's) "sense of entitlement", and their own "I made it all by myself" stories.

The it dawned on me ... President Obama's "You Didn't Build That" message cuts against the "Rugged Individualist"/"American Dream" mythos that so many of the gop base has grown up believing. As the party, largely, of white males, the gop is made up of people that have come up believing that if they work hard, act wisely and do the "right things", life's fortunes will find them. So when they get something ... they earned it ... never-mind how they got it. They are able to tell their (or their parent's) "I arrived with $10 in my pocket" story, looking past the sponsoring agency that provided them with a community, housing, and maybe even a job ... They are able to claim the fruits of their college education, looking past the government backing of their financial aid ... They are able to claim independence, looking past the government provided medicare/medicaid and Social Security that allows for that security. They can do this because they have, largely, been afforded the luxury of being able to go through life without having to recognize that uncontrollable external forces have as great an impact on life's outcomes, as brains, hard work, doing the "right things."

Whereas, "minorities" (and most women) have not had that luxury ... we know, at an early age, from observation and experience, that hard-work, having brains and doing the right things helps; but cannot prevent one's success from being blocked by that random racist (sexist) that believes you undeserving because of one's race (gender).

We have learned to make all the right moves, including finding and taking advantage of whatever help that is out there, and hope for the best; but not be surprised or broken when something beyond our control side-tracks our success. So, President Obama's "You Didn't Build That" message is familiar to those of us that are honest with ourselves ... someone/something helped us get to where we are.

[Vincardog]

1. Even the greatest of us is "standing on the backs of giants".

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Of course it cuts into the rugged individualism myth.

Believe me, if you track their activities through public record in city hall, you begin to realize what welfare kings they really are. And they say it shamelessly. Businessmen won't come to a city meeting unless there's something in it for them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I had a similar conversation some years ago with a co-worker.

A middle-aged white guy, ex-military. The same old b.s., "I worked for everything I have, I didn't get government help, blah, blah, blah." I asked him whether he went to a public school, ever used government-insured student loans or the GI Bill for college, did he go to a state university, did he take the mortgage deduction on his house, all that stuff. IIRC, he kind of waffled and said that was different, he didn't ever use actual welfare. So I guess you can tell yourself you're not getting any benefit from government programs as long as you're not taking "welfare."

[mazzarro]

4. B-I-N-G-O-O-O-O!

I guess you can tell yourself you're not getting any benefit from government programs as long as you're not taking "welfare."

That is the core of it all for the rePIGs!

[Dawson Leery]

5. This attitude is quite common among conservatives.

[Cosmocat]

6. i would not divide it racially so much

95% of us have to work hard to get where we are, whatever that might be.

The difference is the insufferable sense of self victimization that you need to project whatever pent up feelings you have onto someone else vs not having the need to have some boogyman blame all of your personal garbage on.

What really lies at the root of the GOP is the revulsion of personal responsibility. It just validates the need for a lot of people to blame other people and things for their unhappiness.

[bigregg4838]

13. Real talk!

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Well written. n/t

[TeamPooka]

8. k&r

[Warpy]

9. I think you're definitely on to something

and that it explains why white males are still suckers for the GOP's failed policies.

Excellent post.

[malibea]

10. It explains it somewhat.

The discussion helps explains why white males are still suckers for the GOP failed policies, but the real reason these white males- and white females too- are still "sucking up" to the GOP is that they want it all.. And they think they deserve it all- without the benefit of working for it! These phonies and cowards see the GOP as the only party that would be willing to go to bat to get it for them. They are still holding out hope against all hope; they will not win.

[Glydewrite]

11. I didn't get I didn't build that

Interesting take. I personally didn't understand why there was any connection to that term. It sounds so lame as a comment.
Your discussion of the discussion adds light.

[bigregg4838]

12. Very much the truth! With us (minorities; the have-nots), we believe, but don't fully expect...