October 30, 2008 7:45 AM
Obama's infomercial - your thoughts, please
I didn't watch this last night. The thought that a dictator-in-the-making had built a huge war chest from undisclosed sources, then not quite satisfied with his purchase of an entire network where he would air 24/7, had gone on to purchase primetime on seven major networks simultaneously -
Well there's enough counterculture still in my blood to not bow down to anyone - especially someone who's been made an idol and begun to see himself as one.
Of course, our ga-ga media can't be trusted for an objective opinion on how it went. But here is one conservative take - Cal Thomas:
Obama's Infomercial: All About Government, Nothing About YouBarack Obama's expensive looking infomercial was all about government and nothing about you. Oh sure, there were references to "hard working Americans," but to Obama their hard work is not to be rewarded, especially if it produces prosperity. When that happens, Obama will tax your success and give the money to others who did not follow your example.
The infomercial was slick, but Billy Mays has more content when he pitches me to buy his product du jour. I don't need government to make my life better. I need government to stay out of my way so I can make it better.
Where were the examples of people who have overcome? There were only those mired in defeat, misery and despair. Barack Obama's America is a "can't do" nation. His is not a life of consequence, only manipulation of the power structure. By contrast, John McCain knows what it's like to be deprived, even of his freedom. His character was tested and found to be solid. Obama's character is still being defined. It's a roll of loaded dice to trust him with the presidency.
Despair is the key word I heard - our country is in despair. Wow. That's uplifting. That's great leadership. Our family has been through a lot this year, but we are far from despair. That's no way to respond to life - it saps your energy.
Oh, but if a charismatic leader can convince you that you're miserable and that if you will just give him the power he needs, he can make you happy - well, then. . . . as history demonstrated through Germany and Hitler - he can seize total control.
Don't forget the comparison between American youth brainwashed into singing paeans to The One and German youth in the last century. Chilling:
Anyway, what did you think of the Obama Infomercial?
An informed electorate is an empowered electorate!
Read all my campaign commentary here.
Posted in Campaign 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, I did watch it, only so that I could discuss if it asked.
All I could think was...people are going to buy this hook, line and sinker.
It was slick. It was well done. It catered to those who feel they are owed something by our gov't.
He promised them Utopia.
It made me very sad because he is such a manipulator and I know that so many don't see through his agenda.
He's good, he's very good.
If I did not know anything about the issues and just wanted "hope"..he would have given it to me.
This is what it made me think of:
Matt 7:13-14
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
NIV
I am sure that some would say that sounds condesending, but God knew what was going to happen in this world and I see it happening all around us.
Thanks for your uncompromising stand Barbara.
Sue
Posted by: Praise and Coffee | October 30, 2008 9:08 AM
One more thing...I can't tell you how chilling that video is. It reminds me of the same thing we saw in China as the children sing and praise their leaders in that Communist country.
Posted by: Praise and Coffee | October 30, 2008 9:10 AM
I did not watch it either. What more do we need to know about Barak Hussein Obama. Seems as if this gimmick would have served him better earlier on, especially since he has the MSM drooling along behind him. While trying to catch the local weather this morning I saw that NBC's Brian Williams will be interviewing Barak Hussein Obama tonight. How much more does he think we need to know...too bad he did not take the opportunity to answer all the unanswered questions people have. I know enough that I need to pray hard for our country and the next president.
Posted by: Amelia | October 30, 2008 9:16 AM
I recently heard Barbara Walters say that "America is terrified." Huh???!!! Honestly, I don't know very many people who are "terrified." Concerned, sure...But I think the media feeds on whining and whiners...Leading people to believe we need a "savior" from our terror and despair.
Posted by: CharityGrace | October 30, 2008 9:21 AM
I spent the time cuddling and talking with my children. We laughed and had fun.
My husband? He was with the band getting ready for his next gig for Veteran's Day.
We did not watch it.
Posted by: Mary | October 30, 2008 9:37 AM
I watched the first few minutes but didn't want to see anymore. And I didn't want to give him my time :)
Posted by: millicent | October 30, 2008 9:47 AM
I'm a new visitor. Your story of 12 kids is just amazing. I have a bunch of kids myself.
As far as politics go, we aren't likely to agree. I am not a big McCain fan. I still don't get how being a POW in any way qualifies him to be president.
The anti- Obama stuff is just going too far. I guess spreading lies and playing on fear is as good a way as any to try to get another Republican in office.
Sorry that I can't agree with your politics but I really think that you must be a great mom!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2008 10:34 AM
I agree with Sue. It was slick and well done. :(
It gave me the distinct impression that he believes that he is the promised One who is our 'only' hope.
He's definitely feeding on peoples financial fears and is promising them the sun, moon and stars if people will just vote for him. Apparently Hitler was working from the same platform.
What really disturbed me was the end which was Live from Florida; where Obama urged everyone watching to go knocking door to door and call anyone & everyone to get out and vote. Yikes!
Posted by: Rain | October 30, 2008 11:07 AM
We watched it. It was very...sweet. Saccharine.
I was left with more questions. It was very short on substance. Obama says he's going to emphasize early childhood education, increase teacher pay, and hire more teachers. How? Are there thousands of out-of-work teachers out there? Where are all of these educators going to come from? He wants to make sure everyone who wants to go to college, can. But they ALREADY can, through student loans, the GI Bill, or just working their way through. Are tuition tax credits going to improve things? How?
I also snarkily observed that the first lady, barely making ends meet, had two rather new looking cars. And the older guy (I don't remember what issue he represented) complaining about not having enough money - leaning on a shiny new black truck.
Obama talked about healthcare... but didn't say where all of the extra doctors are going to come from. Supposedly our insurance premiums will decrease by $2500... but how? How can I pay half as much for the same, or better coverage? I've been on government insurance in the past (Medicaid) and it is a horrible nightmare. Is that what we have to look forward to?
Michelle Obama came on, talking about what a good father he was, called the girls every night.. I couldn't help but contrast that with Palin, who keeps her children with her. And Obama talks about how the absence of his father shaped him... but makes no mention of his adoptive father, his mother's second husband (making it seem as though he had no father influence in his life, and distancing himself from his father's roots).
Posted by: Milehimama | October 30, 2008 11:19 AM
I watched bits and pieces of it. Nothing special to me but it did raise questions. The family struggling to make ends meet going out to eat? The elderly couple who should be on Medicare not able to pay for drugs but they have 6 children---where are their kids? But I'm evil just for thinking those thoughts, I guess. I'm sure most people were sitting there in tears. Maybe I'm a cynic, I don't know.
Off topic---my 5 year old son knows who Barack Obama is. I homeschool and I do watch lots of news but it seems strange to me that he knows his name and face but not McCain's. Any thoughts on why? Maybe the uniqueness of his name?
Posted by: Alison C. | October 30, 2008 12:16 PM
Was Obama on tv last night ? We don't watch tv, so I guess we missed it. We're voting for McCain. Even if Obama gets in, he's a liar so whatever he promised to try to get elected won't happen anyway.
I read on another site that he was using mass hypnosis techniques ?
Posted by: dee | October 30, 2008 12:40 PM
This what I gleaned from Obama's "infomercial"
You don't have to take personal responsibility for your circumstances or make an effort to be a good steward of what you have, even if it's less than.
One family showcased was dealing with a job layoff and health issues not allowing the husband to fully provide for his family.
I felt for this family. We've been in a similar situation.
That being said... This family was filmed going out to eat, spending money for one meal that could have fed them for several days, if not a week, if they planned it right.
Some would say that is oversimplifying. For me, that's it, in a nutshell.
Posted by: Tressa | October 30, 2008 1:01 PM
Lisa,
Can you refute any of the "lies" told about Obama? Be specific and cite resources, please.
If your children associated with friends who you knew for a fact hated you and had tried to harm you in the past, wouldn't you be concerned? Wouldn't you talk with them about this? How would you feel if they told you to leave them alone and accused you of hate,fear mongering and lying about their friends? Why is it that the truth telling that's being done about Obama is called "lies and spreading fear"?
It's that kind of mindset that scares me the most for this country...that folks are so gullible and refuse to do their due diligence in researching those who seek to be president of this country.
Posted by: Libby | October 30, 2008 1:59 PM
Lisa, Barbara's not "spreading lies", she's telling the truth. Everything has been investigated, and the truth is on our side, not Obamas. He has lied about almost every controversial issue that has been brought up, and the media has covered for him.
It *is* scary.
Posted by: lauren | October 30, 2008 2:07 PM
After watching the Obamapalooza show for the last two years...I just couldn't bear to be held hostage for another minute.
Interesting and intelligent commentary on the infomercial, though. Gives me some hope.
Funny how people call you "anti-Obama" if you disagree with the man's policies or find the idol worship just plain weird.
I don't call people who disagree with McCain--"anti-McCain"...I just call them "liberals".
Posted by: Julia | October 30, 2008 2:19 PM
I watched it, reluctantly. A downer on the country - no bright spots, no hope. But it was interesting to hear Obama say government isn't the answer yet how many times he said what he would be doing for the country.
All I could think was what the show didn't say about the candidate. He's still a mystery to me - no accomplishments to prove himself - it's all surface, shiny and polished and like Sue said (1st commenter) a promise for utopia - not just for the U.S. but the entire world. Rather arrogant in my book.
Posted by: Barb | October 30, 2008 7:15 PM
I realize that I am the minority here but I came back anyway. My concern is not the educated that have formed opinions such as the author and readers here. My fear is the people that might see the emails that go out saying that Obama is a Muslim, etc. As far as the idol worship, I think that is a bit odd in any circumstance. I cannot speak to that because I cannot relate.
Anyway, I have posted on my own blog about a little bit of political stuff. One is about racist remarks made by McCain and his anger issues. It's here http://www.loonybinblog.com/2008/09/mccains-racist-history.html if anyone has an interest. The other one is here http://www.loonybinblog.com/2008/09/like-many-out-in-blog-world-i-was.html but it's really more about Palin.
Is everyone here aware that John McCain was having an affair with Cindy then divorced his wife to marry the 18 year-old heiress? That article is here http://www.loonybinblog.com/2008/09/like-many-out-in-blog-world-i-was.html
My posts do include many links where I cite the source. I hope that I am not angering anyone here. I do welcome comments from both sides. How do you ever learn anything unless you are open-minded? Barbara, I hope that you didn't think that I was accusing you personally of spreading lies. I respect everyone's right to choose their party and I think it's a fascinating election year!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2008 8:25 PM
I agree with some of the other posters that the scene showing the "struggling " family eating out
made the infomercial lose a great deal of credibility. My Dad told me during the Depression all his family had to eat sometimes was ketchup bread.
And about McCain's POW experience:
It takes a great deal of courage to do what is right when doing what is understandable is so much easier. I want to know for sure the next president of the US has the character needed to put others first. The best indicator of future performence is past behavior.
Posted by: Melanie | October 30, 2008 8:34 PM
The anti- Obama stuff is just going too far. I guess spreading lies and playing on fear is as good a way as any to try to get another Republican in office.
Oh, how I wish they WERE lies!
Posted by: Milehimama | October 30, 2008 9:31 PM
Nope. I had to shave my legs.
I figured (correctly) that the highlights would be available later. I loved the consensus on HotAir.com that it was the consummate SHAMWOW! infomercial ("but wait...therrrrre's more!").
Thanks for being salt & light!
Posted by: Val | October 31, 2008 2:14 PM
