"Everyone Should Live Like This"

"Don’t you love this country? What a home this is, what grounds these are, the pool, the golf course. Republicans come here and say everyone should live like this."

The above quote is from one Willard 'Mitt' Romney, while he was hanging out at 'Papa' John  Schnatter's mansion (is Papa John's yet another company I'm going to have to think twice about frequenting? Anyway, I digress). The words spoken by Romney were in reference to the apparently wondrous abode of the pizza chain founder.

Folks who know me are aware that I am no fan of the presumptive GOP nominee for president. I also try not to make this blog a very political place, as it can tend to be somewhat divisive. I want people to feel comfortable about coming here. But this quote simply refused to leave my head, and struck a nerve.

You see, dear reader, the notion (popular among Republicans) that everyone should be able live the life of Riley is, to be blunt, not feasible. At least, it is in this current world. And the GOP knows it. Yet they, and their pundits, and their supporters, continue to peddle the notion as part of their platform, and so the disingenuous nature of their rhetoric is laid bare.

Does Mitt Romney really believe that everyone should live like John Schnatter? Does this include the folks who no doubt clean and maintain his homes? What about his security staff? The folks who have worked for his family and whose jobs, most likely, he has outsourced? How about the hard-working crews who clean-up after the animals at the zoo, who work construction, who serve us burgers at fast food joints, and who collect our garbage?

You see the problem, don't you? The way our society is structured, there is a hierarchy. You may want to call it a class system. Some are able to climb the ladder, but many aren't. And often times those that aren't are looked down upon for 'not trying hard enough,' or for being 'lazy.' We're told that we can be anything we want to be in America, as long as we try hard enough. But that's simply not true. It can not be true. If it were, society would collapse in upon itself.

Mitt Romney knows this to be true. His statement, therefore, is vapid at best, and dishonest at its worst. If he truly believes it, he would include as part of every stump speech a socio-economic restructuring of our society so as to truly make it possible for everyone to live in mansions like his buddy John Schnatter. Of course, he will do no such thing.

Please understand that I am not happy about this. I do believe that we, as a society, need to do things differently, to do things better. Some will call this socialism, or what have you, but without tossing out provocative buzz words, let's try and sit down to come up with a better way. As Americans, and as human beings, we deserve it. Everyone should "live like this." Now, ask Mr. Romney how he plans to make that happen.

And don't let up on him until he gives you a real, honest answer.