Wealth, prestige, and other such handicaps

A few more thoughts on a previous post in this blog.

President Obama says that in this country, one's roots can hinder one's success and that we all desperately need him to remain in office to end such discrimination once and for all.  In a way, he is right.  One's roots can be a problem .... but NOT how he wants you to believe.

Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democratic contender for the U.S. Senate, registered as part Indian at Harvard Law School, claiming minority status.  In reality, she is something like 1/32 Cherokee, and even that is questionable.  She insisted she "had not received any preferential treatment due to her claimed minority status".  Do you see the point here?  She's saying that preferential treatment was suspected.  If minority groups NEVER received special consideration, then it would not have been an issue.   

Marco Rubio was a popular option for the Republican ticket, partly because of his tremendous personal appeal and talents, and partly because of his Cuban roots.  Being a Latino, he might bring in more votes.

Vice President Joe Biden often trots out his humble beginnings, inviting us all to figuratively join him around his parents' kitchen table in the Scranton burbs.  Can't you just see the gingham curtains in the windows?  Yeah, that Joe is a regular guy all right.

Apparently in the political world, the poorer and less privileged one's family is, the better.  And to toss a minority status into the mix, is better yet.

In contrast, we have Mitt Romney, who emerged from prestige and wealth.  His father was a governor of Michigan.  So of course, this dreadful heritage has been used against him by the "no-matter-who-you-are" Obama campaign.  Obviously he can't relate to the common citizen who deals with a mortgage and medical bills.  On top of that, he's white and male.  He cannot tout a childhood of discrimination, poverty, racism, or any of those other juicy hurdles of life that seem to delight the political community.

So, Mr. Obama is right ..... in a twisted sort of way.  One's roots CAN be a hindrance when running for office.  But I don't think another four years of his administration will fix the real problem.  What we need is to stop talking about skin color, race, gender ... OR NET WORTH ... in an election, or a college admission, or a job application, and instead focus on experience, integrity, ability ..... and other such boring things that actually matter.