What about Joe Liberal who likes his Starbucks in the morning
Right, so I only watched twenty minutes of the debate last night because it conflicted with Project Runway's finale. (Personally I liked the brightness of Kenley's collection, even if she's a totally queen bee, but I could see why Leanne's technical skill won it for her.) But, I am so, so irritated that "Joe the Plumber" was bandied about almost as much as words like "taxes" and the "maverick."
What is it with this trend among Republicans to reduce Americans into Joe Six Pack, Joe the Plumber, and Hockey Mom??? I have read enough American Studies texts to realize that this rhetorical tactic is yet another way of channeling the myth that every average American is part of the middle class. (Although on second thought, maybe that myth is being tweaked into 'every American is part of the working class.') But using these labels seem so utterly demeaning and exclusive (don't get me started on how patriarchal) to me. For instance, I can't imagine the Republicans ever dreaming to call out "Joe Black" or "Joe Immigrant" during a debate. Forget how horribly uncouth those labels are--What about them??
Ugh, I'm rambling at this point, but point is, this reductionism is reason #12100 why I'm never going to be Republican. I don't care if they say that the older and richer you get, the more conservative you become. (Which, to a large extent, explains the about-face of my grandparents.) Hell's going to freeze over first!
P.S. Don't forget SNL's having another political special tonight at 9:30.
What is it with this trend among Republicans to reduce Americans into Joe Six Pack, Joe the Plumber, and Hockey Mom??? I have read enough American Studies texts to realize that this rhetorical tactic is yet another way of channeling the myth that every average American is part of the middle class. (Although on second thought, maybe that myth is being tweaked into 'every American is part of the working class.') But using these labels seem so utterly demeaning and exclusive (don't get me started on how patriarchal) to me. For instance, I can't imagine the Republicans ever dreaming to call out "Joe Black" or "Joe Immigrant" during a debate. Forget how horribly uncouth those labels are--What about them??
Ugh, I'm rambling at this point, but point is, this reductionism is reason #12100 why I'm never going to be Republican. I don't care if they say that the older and richer you get, the more conservative you become. (Which, to a large extent, explains the about-face of my grandparents.) Hell's going to freeze over first!
P.S. Don't forget SNL's having another political special tonight at 9:30.