Elitism, intelligence and Obama

[futurebeachbum]

Interesting commentary (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/chris_satullo/20080513_Chris_Satullo__Real__elitism__resentment_ is_about_IQ__not_income.html) from the Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/)..

Its not really clear who's side (if any) he's on, but this is the overall message of the piece:

The charge of elitism isn't about people flaunting income; it's about people flaunting IQ.

Americans, as a rule, don't resent people who have more money than them - particularly if the wealth is seen as earned. Envy, maybe, but not resent. You don't resent people whom you hope to emulate. And most Americans dream easily about having much more dough than they do.

What Americans more readily resent is someone who is smarter than them, who knows it, who shows it, and who seems to think being smart makes you better than everyone else.

A gap in income, you can always dream of closing. A gap in IQ, not so much. It's more personal, thus easier to resent.

Interesting POV. If you're smart and you acknowledge it, you're screwed....

just sign me " a dumb ole country boy"...

FBB

[30A Skunkape]

If I understand his point there is an inverse relationship between flaunted IQ and popularity. Anyone care to see if George W passes this litmus test? I'm just saying...:wave:

[JustaLocal]

If I understand his point there is an inverse relationship between flaunted IQ and popularity. Anyone care to see if George W passes this litmus test? I'm just saying...:wave:

:floor:

If I weren't good natured I might start to resent your IQ.

[Mango]

IMO, there are intellectuals and some are wealthy in part due to that. Then some who are wealthy through hard work, sweat and tears, but not necessarily true intellectuals in the sense of the word if you use IQ. Then a small percentage of "intellectuals" who have the uncanny ability of connecting with many people across the spectrum because they "know" when to turn it on and off. I think most people want our President to be an intellectual deep down because there will be decisions that have to made that most of us will never have to encounter at any point of non-political lives. People want to know and think our President is smarter than us. They just don't want it thrown in their faces. I think what the author missed in in his commentary was respect. Respect for people regardless of their intellects. This is important, because, most intellectuals while showing you the best shoe you should be wearing while kicking you in the a$$ with it for not knowing this, are the ones who can't tie their shoelace. I think Obama has the uncanny ability of knowing when to turn it on and off as well as the respect for his constituents.

[Gypsea]

IMO, there are intellectuals and some are wealthy in part due to that. Then some who are wealthy through hard work, sweat and tears, but not necessarily true intellectuals in the sense of the word if you use IQ. Then a small percentage of "intellectuals" who have the uncanny ability of connecting with many people across the spectrum because they "know" when to turn it on and off. I think most people want our President to be an intellectual deep down because there will be decisions that have to made that most of us will never have to encounter at any point of non-political lives. People want to know and think our President is smarter than us. They just don't want it thrown in their faces. I think what the author missed in in his commentary was respect. Respect for people regardless of their intellects. This is important, because, most intellectuals while showing you the best shoe you should be wearing while kicking you in the a$$ with it for not knowing this, are the ones who can't tie their shoelace. I think Obama has the uncanny ability of knowing when to turn it on and off as well as the respect for his constituents.

Great post Mango! But sometimes we just vote for someone we want to have a beer with. ;-)

[Amy@Avalon]

When properly applied.... I pray to God (by any name) that our next President is a whole lot smarter than me! I am offended that anyone would be offended by intellect. I can't imagine a more difficult job than the one our next Commander in Chief will face. I am rooting for the smart kid who raised his hand in class, not the prom king. I really don't care if I would like to have a beer with him/her or not. W was probably a really fun guy to hang with.

[scooterbug44]

But sometimes we just vote for someone we want to have a beer with. ;-)

This was one of Clinton's (Bill) greatest assets - had a great memory for people and small talk and put them at their ease. Can't stand the man, but have to give him props.

Big difference IMO between snotty "I'm smart and you're not" folks and those who have brains and put them to good use.

[Tootsie]

IMO, there are intellectuals and some are wealthy in part due to that. Then some who are wealthy through hard work, sweat and tears, but not necessarily true intellectuals in the sense of the word if you use IQ. Then a small percentage of "intellectuals" who have the uncanny ability of connecting with many people across the spectrum because they "know" when to turn it on and off. I think most people want our President to be an intellectual deep down because there will be decisions that have to made that most of us will never have to encounter at any point of non-political lives. People want to know and think our President is smarter than us. They just don't want it thrown in their faces. I think what the author missed in in his commentary was respect. Respect for people regardless of their intellects. This is important, because, most intellectuals while showing you the best shoe you should be wearing while kicking you in the a$$ with it for not knowing this, are the ones who can't tie their shoelace. I think Obama has the uncanny ability of knowing when to turn it on and off as well as the respect for his constituents.

you said it sistah!:wave:

[Mango]

you said it sistah!:wave:

:wave: Lots of missing commas, but puck it. It was an ungodly hour when I posted. Besides, I ain't no intellectual. :lol:

[Cil]

We've had our time with a down-home, supposedly populist President who relaxes by clearing brush. But IMHO he was never *really* in touch with Joe Dingleberry and has not done the working class any good.
I do think Obama has, or is at least developing, the common touch, as did Ronald Reagan.
Superficial stuff matters, but when it comes to running a country, as Scooter says, what you do with your superior intellect is what ultimately makes all the difference.
Anyone who is running for POTUS should be a fairly accomplished person.
To me, having a beer with the political ruling class is fine, but not a dealbreaker.

[Tootsie]

We've had our time with a down-home, supposedly populist President who relaxes by clearing brush. But IMHO he was never *really* in touch with Joe Dingleberry and has not done the working class any good.
I do think Obama has, or is at least developing, the common touch, as did Ronald Reagan.
Superficial stuff matters, but when it comes to running a country, as Scooter says, what you do with your superior intellect is what ultimately makes all the difference.
Anyone who is running for POTUS should be a fairly accomplished person.
To me, having a beer with the political ruling class is fine, but not a dealbreaker.

joe dinglebery:biggrin:

[jdarg]

joe dinglebery:biggrin:


I think I have met the entire Dingleberry extended family.:floor:

[traderx]

I think Obama has the uncanny ability of knowing when to turn it on and off as well as the respect for his constituents.

When Obama called a female reporter "sweetie", did it have it turned on or off?

He got a free pass, yet again, from the media on this. I heard such comments as "well, he apologized" and "he followed it with respect for the reporter's question".

Hmm...

One can only wonder how McCain would have been treated if he had called a reporter "sweetie".:idontno:

[scooterbug44]

I frequently get called honey, sweetie, etc. by people I don't know from Adam. IMO the kicker is what comes AFTER the honey or sweetie as to whether it is wrong or patronizing. :wave:

[hnooe]

I frequently get called honey, sweetie, etc. by people I don't know from Adam. IMO the kicker is what comes AFTER the honey or sweetie as to whether it is wrong or patronizing. :wave:

You are 100% correct, honey. (It is OK it is ME) :D

[Mango]

When Obama called a female reporter "sweetie", did it have it turned on or off?

He got a free pass, yet again, from the media on this. I heard such comments as "well, he apologized" and "he followed it with respect for the reporter's question".

Hmm...

One can only wonder how McCain would have been treated if he had called a reporter "sweetie".:idontno:

That reporter from a little yocal local station decided to pounce on Obama while he was in the middle of speaking with others, and then decided to be even further unprofessional by making herself the source of the story. :roll:

W has nicknamed Maureen Dowd (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/opinion/16dowd.html)"The Cobra". I'll take being called sweetie any day by McCain, Obama or any else for that matter, over being called a Cobra.

[scooterbug44]

It may not be politically correct, but IMO, you can always call some on-air bimbo "sweetie" when she's being a pain!

[Bob]

We've had our time with a down-home, supposedly populist President who relaxes by clearing brush. But IMHO he was never *really* in touch with Joe Dingleberry and has not done the working class any good.
I do think Obama has, or is at least developing, the common touch, as did Ronald Reagan.
Superficial stuff matters, but when it comes to running a country, as Scooter says, what you do with your superior intellect is what ultimately makes all the difference.
Anyone who is running for POTUS should be a fairly accomplished person.
To me, having a beer with the political ruling class is fine, but not a dealbreaker.he must be developing the common touch because I don't believe he ever held a part time job in school, nor did he ever consider the ramifications of commenting on "bitter" folks in small town America made from the friendly confines of San Francisco. Regarding Bush, hell, he is President Joe Dingleberry, and he's as happy as he can be.

[Mermaid]

What Americans more readily resent is someone who is smarter than them, who knows it, who shows it, and who seems to think being smart makes you better than everyone else.

No, Americans do NOT resent someone who is smarter than them. It's the "who shows it" and "makes you better than everyone else" part that rankles. No one should tolerate a snob.

A good president should be smart, but he should also know that intelligent governing means that you govern the smart, the average, and the stupid. With equal interest in all.