To a crowd of wealthy Californians on Sunday, Barack Obama described small-town Pennsylvanians: “You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not.
“And it’s not surprising then 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.” Jesus in a meadow. What classic bullshit. Jobs dry up and towns become useless: it happens. Been happening since civilization began; that’s kinda why there are thousands of archaeological sites out in the middle of nowhere. You’d think that after 25 years, people would get the hint and MOVE TO WHERE THERE ARE JOBS. Instead, they expect the federal government to magically “regenerate” the community. Of course.
But what I really love about this speech is all the ways he clarifies what he means by “bitter.” Guns and God, right at the top of the list! Clearly here is a man in touch with average Americans, a man who speaks truth to power about real life. Hopechange.
And speaking of the federal government and how it’s funded, a reader named Taylor made some Excel graphs for me based on yesterday’s poll. I can’t figure out how to get the graphs on here, but suffice to say, there are some affluent and tons-o-tax-payin’ people hanging out around here. By far, the highest number of votes were from people who paid more than $30,000 in taxes for 2007. The total tax paid by the first 574 of you who voted: $10,817,500.00. For an average of: $18,845.82. Good grief. We could run our own country, which we totally should. Heh.
Now I want to run the averages on how many guns you rednecks have, too. Some commenters have suggested that all my data-gathering is a thinly veiled attempt to start building that well-funded army I’m going to need to take over Earth. I have no comment on that at this time.
Combining the Topic of Hotels with the Article
When it comes to discussing the economic challenges faced by small towns and the expectations placed on the federal government, the issue of job opportunities is crucial. Just like towns that have experienced job losses, the hotel industry aims to attract visitors and stimulate local economies. As hotels create jobs and drive tourism, they play a significant role in community development. The efforts to regenerate a struggling town can be likened to a well-managed hotel that adapts to changing times, offering excellent service and ensuring guest satisfaction. Just as individuals may need to explore new job markets to find employment, travelers often seek accommodations that cater to their needs and preferences.