As I put the finishing touches on my first LSAT, a strange thought came to mind.
No, it wasn’t that everything I’ve worked for since age five — all the aspirations and hopes — depended on this one standardized test.
The exam represented one of the few shared experiences I have in common with President Barack Obama. I will not pretend as though I am symbolic of an average American, but I am much more like them than our president. Tellingly, after dealing with a significant political setback, Obama has suddenly become the populist president.
A single Republican victory forced our dear leader into an epiphany. At breathtaking speed following a certain political upset in Massachusetts, Obama now claims that he has Main Street’s best interests in mind.
He does this not because it is true, of course, but because it is politically expedient.
Months of unpopular legislation, lost special elections, and vociferous opposition has forced Team Obama to reconsider its strategy. Now the full effect of Sen. Scott Brown’s monumental victory in Massachusetts becomes more obvious: Obama, the populist president, now styles himself as the champion of middle class America.
Are you angry with Wall Street? Obama will come to the rescue with his proposed bank tax and vague financial reforms.
Will any of these reforms work as intended or have a tangible benefit to the American people? Of course not.
That’s not the point of Obama’s new façade. Its intended purpose depends on making Americans believe that he’s angry right alongside them, despite the close connections between Wall Street and his cabinet.
Have you ever found yourself upset when college football’s undefeated teams cannot play each other thanks to the BCS? Ever worry that a playoff system won’t come to fruition thanks to those lousy corporate executives? Have no fear; it is yet another issue where Obama can come to the rescue. From meddling in the markets, to intervening in sports, Team Obama can now take care of all your worries and fears.
Naturally, the president can do all of this because he’s just like you and me, right?
Gloss over the fact that virtually no American attended a ‘secular’ elementary school in Indonesia. Nevermind that Obama attended Columbia University. Forget that he served as a community organizer, whatever that is. Most everybody attends Harvard Law School too, right?
I don’t point these instances out as a criticism. To the contrary, I believe the President of the United States should attend prestigious universities and be well educated. I highlight these instances to show how vast the disconnect between Obama and the American populace really is. Like most other career politicians, Barack Obama cannot relate to you and for him to propose legislation in your ‘best interest’ deserves nothing but scorn.
As my final example, I quote from the President’s biography, “Dreams from My Father” where he admits to using cocaine, “I had learned not to care… Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though.”
At least he didn’t do smack — remember, he’s just like you.
Shane Leach is an economics junior.
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