BARACK OBAMA AND THE CULT OF PERSONALITY
Adding to History . . . or Changing it?
“A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. Sociologist Max Weber developed a tripartite classification of authority; the cult of personality holds parallels with what Weber defined as ‘charismatic authority.’ A cult of personality is similar to hero worship, except that it is established by mass media and propaganda.” (Wikipedia)
Sound familiar? This technique has been used by virtually every dictator in the 20th Century and is still used today (e.g. North Korea). Think of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Romanian dictator Ceaucescu, Castro, Nasser, etc., their portraits everywhere, their “wisdom” forced on everyone, and God help those who don’t believe and don’t follow the party line. Now what, you may ask, does this have to do with Barack Obama? Am I comparing him to the aforementioned bad guys? Well, to a certain extent, yes, I am. No, he is not an absolute monarch, nor has he assumed dictatorial powers, but he has presided over the greatest aggrandizement of power in the Executive Branch in the history of the nation. But what is bothering me as I write this is the latest -- I don’t know what to call it -- “shenanigan” by the Obama White House. The website, www.whitehouse.gov, has a section with the biographies of the nation’s presidents. Appended to some of them are paragraphs comparing Obama to each president and singing his praises. A few examples:
At the end of the JFK page:
“Did you know?
President John F. Kennedy famously suggested the American people: “Ask what you can do for your country.” In 1961, the Peace Corps was created, facilitating service among citizens working toward peace in developing countries. In 2011, President Obama celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps with a Presidential Proclamation.”
That was rather innocuous, but check these out. At the end of the FDR page:
“Did you know?
On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Today the Obama Administration continues to protect seniors and ensure Social Security will be there for future generations.”
At the end of the Eisenhower page:
“Did you know?
President Dwight Eisenhower established the President's Council on Youth Fitness on July 16, 1956 (now known as The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports) after learning from a study that American youth were less fit than European youth. Today the Council is still going strong—with Olympians and professional athletes on board—working in conjunction with the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to help promote healthier lifestyles.”
At the end of the LBJ page:
“Did you know?
President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare signed into law in 1965—providing millions of elderly healthcare stability. President Obama’s historic health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, strengthens Medicare, offers eligible seniors a range of preventive services with no cost-sharing, and provides discounts on drugs when in the coverage gap known as the ‘donut hole.’”
And, last but not least, my favorite: at the end of the Ronald Reagan page:
“Did you know?
In a June 28, 1985 speech Reagan called for a fairer tax code, one where a multi-millionaire did not have a lower tax rate than his secretary. Today, President Obama is calling for the same with the Buffett Rule.”
Barack Obama comparing himself to Ronald Reagan? Can you imagine two men more different than these two? I could now go on about Obama’s policies and how they differ from Reagan’s (immensely!) but that’s been chronicled elsewhere. But these little “snippets” added to presidential bios? This is weird and, I must say, a bit scary. Folks, this is propaganda, pure and simple. What’s next, a little red book entitled “The Thoughts of President Obama?” Large posters of his face in front of water fountains in downtown Washington, DC? Hell, why not his face on the dollar bill? After all, George Washington is SO-O-O-O yesterday . . .
Okay, Barack Obama is NOT Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc., but he has that “I know better than you do” attitude and, I fear that if he is reelected, individual liberties will lessen, government power over our lives will increase, and the national debt will spiral totally out of control, seriously damaging our economy.
But don’t worry - we’ll have the “wisdom” of BARACK to comfort us.
