The Liberal Patriot

The Land of P.T. Barnum

Mary MacElveen- March 2, 2005

I once equated P.T. Barnum’s quote, “there’s a sucker born ever minute and two to take him”; when I wrote a piece concerning the California recall vote that made a body builder turned actor into the Governor the state. A state that is by the way the fifth largest economy in the world. But, that is all water under the bridge.

You would think that Americans would have listened in this past election. The conditions were ripe to take back our country instead those who voted for Bush became the biggest suckers of them all. Some may call me a snob as did happen last week in which I wrote about in calling these supporters dumb. As I stated last week in a column, I can go with that. Upon reading a Saul Friedman that appeared Newsday called, "Real Deficit is Bush's Knowledge", speaks to the Social Security issue of woman by the name of Mary Mornin, in Bush’s world is the very sort of person P.T. Barnum spoke of. But, I will be compassionate towards her and the living conditions she faces today. What I cannot understand is how she can have faith in Pres. Bush.

According to Saul Friedman’s article, Mary Mornin is a single single, divorced mother in her 50’s with three children, including a son who is "mentally challenged." Mary Mornin also works three jobs and according to Mr. Friedman she had this to say of her faith in Pres. Bush’s handling of this issue, Ms Morin was reassured by the presidents saying that "the promises made will be kept by the government." For the life of me, I cannot understand her reasoning power when she makes a remark like that. Here she is working three jobs to put food on the table, keep a roof over her family’s head and also deal with a mentally challenged child. Meanwhile huge tax breaks have been given to many of President Bush’s friends who are living the good life. They are able to take vacations which I suspect working three jobs, Mary Mornin is not. Mary Mornin also said, "because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute." I have no doubt that she does contribute. Most likely she is contributing more than her fair share. But her government is not contributing their fair share when she like many others are paying increased local taxes, higher food bills, higher utility bills and many do so without health care.

If you cannot fathom her faith in President Bush, here are his remarks towards her which also appeared in this article, "You work three jobs?" he then went on to say, "Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean that is fantastic that you're doing that." President Bush, there is nothing fantastic in having to work three jobs in order to survive. I say survive and not live for this reason, in this land of what is supposed to be the land of opportunity, working three jobs is just plain slavery if you ask me. President Bush, Working so many hours is not “Uniquely American“. When those who make the products we buy work for in some cases many hours per day and are paid slave wages abroad.

As I read everyday of the struggles many Americans that voted for and continue to support President Bush are facing I often think of P.T. Barnum. These struggling Americans have been taken by the two best con artists since Barnum, President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney yet they do not care. Life to them is good. I want to know how working three jobs and having faith in President Bush is good? While Mary Mornin works her three jobs, I would like to remind her and those like her that this president has taken more vacations than any other and did so right before September 11th.

I guess this is where the snob factor in me comes out. I just do not understand this blind allegiance to a man who has done nothing for us as a nation. To the Mary Mornin’s of this country, it is time you took your blinders off.

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