Talking about how the loss of jobs over 25 years has sapped the hope of small-town Pennsylvania residents, Obama said at the Sunday fund-raiser, "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."That's quite a statement. It smacks a bit of economic determinism. And it's hilariously faulty history. Small town Americans don't cling to religion, or guns, because they're having trouble getting work. They cling to religion and guns in good times and in bad. It's their culture!
It does make you wonder how he views the people at his own church. Are they just clinging to religion as a way to explain their frustrations?
I'm not religious, but you have to give religion its due. It's not just an opiate of the people. It offers explanations for both frustration and joy.
For both funerals and weddings,
They lift their eyes to the sky,
And ask their God's blessings
For all who make a solid try.
To think it's just about money -
To me that's more sad than funny.
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