‘The American people’ do not exist, writes Tom Regan, author of F&O’s Seeking Orenda column. “They are as much of a myth as Sasquatch, Area 51, Nigerian yellow cake, and the Tooth Fairy.” An excerpt of his new column, Why the ‘American people do not exist:
“Grant Wood – American Gothic – Google Art Project” by Grant Wood. Creative Commons
It’s wacky season in Washington once again. Wacky season comes in two flavors in the nation’s capitol: during the summer, when all the politicos would rather be jetting to a prime vacation spot on the private jet of a fat cat corporate sponsor, and when it’s time to start running for president.
It’s the latter situation we find ourselves in these days. And one of the things that you will hear most often – along with the number of Republican presidential candidates who will say that God told them they should run for the nomination (why is God talking to so many of these people?) – are candidates who will say that they know what “the American people” want.
The American people hate the president’s policies. The American people support the president’s policies. The American people want change. The American people want a return to tradition. The American people are opposed to gay marriage. The American people support gay marriage. If you listen long enough, you get the impression that the “American people” seem to have the ability to support totally contradictory ideas at the same time. … click to continue reading.
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