02 July 2008

Obama and the Privileges of Power

The news that Senator Obama received favorable terms when he took out a mortgage after his election does not expose any particular character flaw or belie any of his policy proposals, but it should make you question his credentials as a man of the people. His roots may lay with common folk, but he seems to have assumed unquestioningly the privileges of power and prestige. Perversely, once his income took a great leap upward, and he acquired political power, lenders eagerly made it easier and cheaper for him to buy a house. In his defense, Obama quite possibly wasn't aware that he was getting a better deal than the average person. He may not have realized this until it became news this week. If that's the case, then he ought to acknowledge the injustice of the situation and admit that something is wrong with this picture. Instead, it looks like the Obama campaign is content to claim that there's nothing to see here. As far as they're concerned, if there wasn't any quid-pro-quo that benefited the lender, if Obama did nothing politically to favor the institution, then there's no scandal. There may not be a personal scandal here, but the public ought to be scandalized just the same, not at Obama himself, but at a social order that discriminates in favor of the rich and powerful and probably does similar favors for richer and more powerful people all the time.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gimme a break... (Nel Carter)

People who make big bucks get better rates. It's a fact -- always has been. It's why the po people get inspired to do good. Most people want to enjoy some level of success in their lives -- because it makes them feel good, because it offers them certain advantages, etc.

My kid goes to Harvard. Does he receive special treatment? You bet he does! Why? Because that's the way it is.

Did he come from a priveleged family? Nope. Bottom o' the barrel.

Should he NOT be allowed to accept certain favors and priveleges -- favors and priveleges that could make him wealthier or increase his status -- because of where he came from?

This is WHY he went to Harvard instead of SUNY. You get more for your money in the long run.

Is that bad??

Anonymous said...

Yes it is. In a country where we claim equality, any privilege afforded to few people is unfair. Which is why I believe that all educational facilities should be nationalized. For simpletons like Evangelicorp, what I'm saying is there should be no such thing as private schools. All children should have to attend public schools.

The only education I think ought to be allowed the prvilege of being "privatized" are graduate and post graduate institutions. Everything else should be sponsored by the state and paid by the taxpayers. Think of it as an investment in the future of the country.

Samuel Wilson said...

If Evangelicorp's kid goes to Harvard, but is not from a privileged family, can we assume that he's going on an academic scholarship? If so, it's not a privilege. If the kid graduates, it's not a privilege if prospective employers look more favorably on a job application that lists a Harvard degree. The degree denotes some merit worth taking into account in a competitive job search. But if the kid gets a favorable mortgage rate because of that degree, that looks more like special treatment. There are some areas where competition is preferable, and others where equal treatment is preferable. The problem with conservatives and libertarians is that they seem to think that competition is preferable at all times and in all places, and that privilege is the winner's due. But life is not a game.

Anonymous said...

My kid don't really go to Harvard. He's got the Downs syndrome, so won't be going to any school. I guess it's true what they say about breeding. Gay tardz breed useless chumps.