From Joe the Plumber, to Sarah Palin; people at “tea parties” and tax protesters; those seen as rubes may be the answer to what ails our country. The left, the moderate hand-holding middle, and elitist conservatives often hate these rubes. However, for the rubes, that disdain from elites is just the point. A growing segment of the population are exhausted by the elite crowd only listening to other elites.
The “sophisticated” show pure disgust at rubes who are public figures. One overwhelming example of a “rube” who the elites love to hate is Sarah Palin. With her book tour, several interviews and general media presence, she is everywhere. The last time she burst onto the scene, after being named VP candidate for McCain, she was enemy number one to the left, as she is again now. So why such hatred? Nothing threatens the left like someone who can draw a crowd, while lacking the supposed “sophistication” that most “intellectuals” should have. Still she draws crowds and a lot of people love her.
Plus Sarah takes something from the elites that they hold dear. This is the ability to write the script for how victim classes act. Women and minorities are supposed to be liberal and if women speak, they are supposed to have the refinement of those in higher society. Sarah is a feminist but she doesn’t fit the mold of good liberal feminists. She hunts, loves her “unsophisticated” husband, she has a funny accent and she is a Christian. She threatens everything that the left and the feminist establishment built over the last five decades. For the left elite, Sara is one dangerous rube.
Joe Wurzelbacher “Joe the plumber” is a rube that accomplished something that few could do. He was able to fluster Senator Obama’s Presidential campaign. He did it by simply asking why punish people’s work and accomplishments. The answer was one of the most telling in campaign history “…spread the wealth around.” Since that fateful interchange, Joe has been the target of every sort of slander and smear. Like Sarah he threatens all that the left has built. Joe was also once a union plumber. He had plans to own his own company. Nothings threatens the left like a former union brother with entrepreneurship. Joe is also a dangerous rube.
Joe and Sarah are rubes who attract attention. There is a level of jealousy by the elite talking heads in that Joe and Sarah have the ability to draw interest when few elites can do the same. Joe and Sarah have taken the best revenge to the elite jealousy and hatred, in supporting candidates that are much like themselves, perhaps even other rubes.
The rube movement is not only based in media “darlings,” it is in tax protests and Tea Party attendees. The elites hate these people, partially because they use a tool of the left: protests, to accomplish goals of the right, like a return to fiscal awareness. So the elites demonize these people as angry mobs, even claiming that they bare swastikas, want people to die or they hate children. These claims show that the elite are frightened by what the rubes are saying.
What really scares the elites is that people listen to the rube protesters. Gone are the days when those in Congress or in the media could say “listen to me, I know better.” Rubes don’t obey people just because of an impressive education or pedigree. Sarah Palin is from Alaska and a graduated from a college in Idaho. Joe is a meager plumber. Tea party protesters could be construction workers, farmers, truck drivers or other “provincial” occupations. For the elites, these people should be seen and not heard. In the elite mind that lack of prestige should disqualify anyone from being taken seriously. Many rubes are from the part of the country the elites “fly-over.” Some in the rube class have prestigious degrees but they still will actually discuss issues and listen to those who are more common. When people from different educational backgrounds see each other on equal ground, even if they’re rubes, the future of the country looks brighter.
So how can the rubes save the Republic? By questioning those in power despite their party. By fighting against taxation that damages the free market. By speaking plainly, without elitist “nuances.” By speaking truth to power, once battle cry of the left but is now scorned by them. Many rubes are educating themselves on US History, the Constitution, checks and balances and countless other important principles. They learn about these subjects from a variety of sources, like; David McCullough, George Gilder, Peter Scweitzer, Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Jonah Goldberg and many others.
Many of the rubes don’t need a leader in the traditional sense. The elite classes of both parties ask; where is the next Goldwater, Reagan, Roosevelt, Clinton, Johnson, Gingrich or whoever? Many rubes find leadership in themselves, religious clergy, or perhaps a good friend. They may admire some leaders or speakers, but there is no need to be led. They are people who are working together for freedom to succeed and to fail. They are raising concerns about unsustainable debt. They want elected officials who will take these issues seriously.
In the next elections the rubes will play a substantial role, in both the local and national races. Especially as the deficit deepens and spending increases. What makes them rubes is that the elites on the right, left and middle don’t understand them. However, Joe, Sarah and the many other rubes are a part of a growing movement. Minimizing them won’t diminish their influence. Those who ignore them do so at their own peril.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
The Left is very affraid of folks like these two, especially Sarah Palin. She is a strong woman with down to earth American ideas, actions and family. The Left fears a strong conservative from the West and will do all they can to bring her down, slander, false accusations, lies, etc., the Dems will be in full force.
Actually, the Left fear themselves, and will destroy the power they have, if it would only happen faster than it is.
I hope to see Ms. Palin run for office, preferably as a Senator or Congress person from her great state. I think the White House is a long shot.
God bless America!