The bitter statement is a prime reason of why we need campaign season cut to three months. The candidates start saying benign things to hit the emotions of small cliques of voters.

The latest niche of voters is small town, Church-going Americans in the rust belt. Barack says they’re “bitter” because of the unfulfilled promises of politicians past. So they “cling” to guns and religion.

First, he was speaking to a bunch of elitists in San Francisco. What did you expect? An Elmer Fudd impersonation: “Wet’s go and shoot us some wabbits.”

Second, in my opinion, he was right on. I think many people in these areas felt left out of the economic boom of the previous years while they continue to pay now that the economy has dropped. Many of them turn to church and guns. Many of them resent the immigrants who come in and take their job. Many of them blame foreign countries like China and India. Many of them – now – blame George Bush.

After all, President Bush and the Republicans convinced these folks to vote for rich-folk tax cuts and other benefits which they haven’t seen.

Barack’s assessment, in my judgment, is right. I’m amazed there isn’t more rebellion or anger in these communities. They’re losing their homes while Bear Stearns gets bailed out.

John McCain and Hillary Clinton are grasping at straws. How can they call Obama an elitist? Instead, they’re taking a page from Karl Rove and they’re playing the religion card. It’s too predictable. This episode will only backfire on them.

 

Still, I have some problems with Barack. First, he should have used the term “some” or “many” or “a small majority” rather than making it a blanket statement about all people in small town America.

Second, he hasn’t offered a solution. Neither has Hillary. Both Democrats conveniently blame NAFTA, Mexico, and China. Johnny Mac has at least hinted at the solution, but when he mentioned it in Michigan, Mitt Romney handed him his political butt.

The solution is education.

Workers need to be re-trained. They should not be told their jobs are coming back. Those manufacturing jobs don’t exist unless they want to relocate to Ho Chi Minh City.

However, there are new jobs out there – for the newly trained. Education tax credits should be at the top of every candidate’s list of give-backs to voters. Programs to lower the cost of education and to expand the reach of education to small communities hit by job outsourcing are a must.

But no one is talking about it – with the slight exception of McCain three months ago.

If you get the ear of any of the campaigns, tell them this.

However, instead of relying on the government and our one-note, dissonant presidential candidates, though, take matters into your own hands.

For example, on this site here, you can connect to Real Money Show where dozens of internet marketers have programs that have made people millions by selling products and services throughout the world.

Shameless plug? Sure. But the more educated you are, the better chance of surviving and thriving in today’s Internet world.

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