State of the Union and Katrina
I’m just building on btp’s great post about the SOTU WNY roundup.
What about New Orleans? I listened to the speech. One of the many things that struck me was what wasn’t there no mention of New Orleans. The President of the United States didn’t show a lot of compassion by omitting mention of New Orleans at the bully pulpit . Or maybe it did show compassionate conservatism. I’m sorry you’re homeless. I’m sorry your city is a wreck. I’m sorry insurance companies are trying to rip you off.
So, Wednesday, after the speech there was 2 point/counterpoint editorials in the D&C by Alex Zapesochny (Republican Brighton) and Jerri Kaiser (Democrat Churchville). Only the Democrat picked up on that.
Why? Well I think it simply highlights the fundamental difference between the two parties, specifically the DNA strands that makes one tend to share Democratic values versus Republican values.
Democrats understand the power of community and how when communities flourish everyone succeeds. Sure, some in a community excel or flourish more than others and that is OK, in fact, expected and desired but the measurement of success is based on the success of the overall community.
Republicans tend to focus on individuals and individual success. So success is measured by the success of individuals. That is all that matters.
So, when we lose a major American city due to a combination of bungling, ineptitude and whatever else you want to say Katrina exposed, Democrats feel the pain of the loss of a community and recognize how its loss affects the greater national community. Democrats are aware, mention it in their speeches and are concerned, the Republicans don’t and move on.
The omission simply makes me sick to my stomach.
I wrote this post Wednesday (posted now) and today I noticed the D&C had an editorial in this mornings paper about the omission as well believing it is worth keeping on the national agenda. From the D&C editorial.
Well, good on the D&C editorial board.