Once upon a time, there was a television show called Good Times. As created by Eric Monte, (Cooley High) Good Times was a sincere attempt to tell the story of an American family’s struggles together to make ends meet. That this family happened to be black and live in the projects was both important and incidental. Yet, in the hands of Norman Lear, (All In The Family) Good Times became minstrel-esque, with exaggerated characterizations, and a de-emphasis on the positive interactions of people united in a common struggle against external forces beyond their control. In the view of the creator of the show, life was good, even in rough circumstances; in the minds of the producers, however, such a thing is not credible. If you’re black and living in the projects, life has to be bad.
I pitched ‘Good Times’ in 1971; it didn’t go on the air until 1974. In those three years we had about 20 meetings. The one note I got in every meeting was, “Get rid of the father, a strong black man in a sitcom won’t work.” All the white writers on the show wanted to do stereotypes and I refused, so we’d argue and fight. They would ignore what I suggested and take all that “Yassuh Boss” stuff to the cast, and John Amos and Esther Rolle would have a fit. Then they’d give them what I wrote and the cast would like it, shoot it and it would go on the air. Originally I pictured J.J. as a street-smart hustler who drove his honest, hard-working parents crazy. His character became a buffoon.
Why the trip down memory lane? Well, when I think of Good Times, the theme song automatically comes to mind. Purportedly optimistic and upbeat, in reality it is a put-down.
Temporary layoffs, good times!
E-Z credit ripoffs, good times!
Scratchin’ and survivin’, good times!
Hangin’ in and jivin’, good times!
Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em?
Good times!
It is this kind of perversion of racial reality that drives the Barack Obama campaign, however this not-so-subtle skewing of the truth is not limited to any one segment of society. In Obamaland, everything sucks. The past eight years have been an unmitigated disaster on every level, devastating every American’s hopes, dreams and chances, in every arena, in every aspect of life. But, there is “hope” for “change.” Vote for Obama and everything will be fine.
Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on earth. This was the moment—this was the time—when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves and our highest ideals. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Good times! Without question, this view of America as a troubled nation helps Obama. But, seriously, think back. Ask yourself a variation of the question Ronald Reagan asked Americans during his debate with Jimmy Carter, “are you better off,” or worse…than you were 2 years ago, before the presidential campaigns started? Back then, were you consumed with worry about your financial future? The financial future of the country? The entire freaking world? Remember, this was 2006, the year the Democrats swept the elections. Weren’t we all just a little bit optimistic that things would soon get better? And wasn’t our primary concern back then, the war?
Don’t get me wrong, we had, and continue to have, problems and real, legitimate concerns. But, whose fault are they, really? Now, it seems that, according to Obama and the Democrats (sounds like a soul band) we’re all teetering on the brink of total collapse, and only he, like Mighty Mouse, can sweep in and save the day. Where the promise of Obamaland goes wrong, in my opinion, is not only the misplacement of blame, but, like Good Times, de-emphasis on priorities from the celebration of what we have that is good, in favor of persistent lamentation about that which is not.
PUMA
Just Say No Deal
SUCH a great post. You know, I too believe that we have some problems and Bush has been an absolute idiot, but I don’t think the nation has been on the brink of crumbling. We’ve just had a fool for Commander in Chief which we all found it a great pastime to poke fun at. Now, our feet are being held to the fire until we say “uncle [Obama]” and it’s sick.
The Obama’s and many others, have done quite well in the past two to three years, so why all of the whining? I could be wrong, but I don’t think there’s been a single instance in the past several decades [ever?] of zero unemployment. It’s all cyclical in my own opinion and based upon the region in which a person lives. Take Buffalo, N.Y. for instance. That city has been dipping further into ruin for the past 10-15 years. Bush had nothing to do with it.
The Obama thugs use this worrisome tactic because he doesn’t have anything else to stand on and it’s sick. If only these short-sighted voters would take a look at the whole picture, they’d come to grips with that reality and just admit that they are voting for him because it makes them all feel warm and tingly.