The Wasatch Behind: Small town frustrations

By Sun Advocate

Last week Barack Obama told a group of rich California Democrats that he understands small town bitterness in America. He said small town people are miserable because they don’t have good jobs anymore, and they vent their frustrations through religion, gun ownership, bigotry, bashing illegal aliens, and blaming NAFTA for their troubles. He didn’t expect his words to be made public, and it was disappointing to hear him say those things.
Of course he might have tailored his words to fit his audience. Limousine liberals already know that anyone who believes in God is hopelessly na�ve; anyone who owns a gun is a dangerous red-necked Neanderthal; those who want the borders closed are bigoted bullies; and anyone who hates NAFTA is uninformed or unintelligent.
To the rest of us, his words were elitist and show a stunning disregard for the values of the middle class. I asked a small town bigot, a guy who goes to church and carries a gun, to comment on this, and here is what Uncle Spud had to say:
“Karl Marx, the patron saint of communism, said religion is the opiate of the masses. Obama implied that religion is a refuge for stupid people. Sounds like the same thing to me. But then, I’m one of the stupid people, so what would I know?
“But I do go to church. And I go there to worship and not to be entertained by some big-mouthed racist who hates my country. Religion is important to all of us, believe it or not. Even big city atheists benefit from religion. Religious people are less likely to commit crimes. That fact alone demonstrates the social value.
“Religion is what separates people from animals. Religion holds societies together when man-made laws fail. All of mankind benefits when people believe in something greater than self. Society benefits from the idea that moral behavior is rewarded, even when nobody is looking. Individuals benefit from the concept that life is eternal and this mortal probation is only a test. Religion gives us hope, direction, and purpose in our lives. Those who live without it deprive themselves of life’s greatest comforts and blessings.
“And then we come to guns. Bitter, frustrated, and unemployed people own guns because it gives them a sense of power? You got that right, mister politician. The second amendment has nothing to do with hunting ducks. It has everything to do with power to the people.
“Why keep a gun in my home? For the same reason I keep a fire extinguisher. You never know when you might need one. Guns and fire extinguishers have a lot in common. Having one and never needing it is better than needing one and not having it.
“And why carry a gun? Because a cop is too heavy. I will concede that cops are usually only minutes away, but minutes are eternities when seconds count. Ask anyone who was ever assaulted with a deadly weapon.”
“So yes, we bitter, stupid people do take comfort in being armed and dangerous. It’s our last defense against a failed criminal justice system and a government that seems hell-bent on erasing our borders and giving our national sovereignty over to the United Nations.
“And what about those erased borders? I’m sick to death of being branded a bigot because I want order and a peaceful transition for people who want to join me here in this country that I love. I don’t want diseased criminal terrorists crossing the border any more than I want them coming through the back door of my home. It’s the same thing as far as I’m concerned.
“I have endless compassion for the poor and downtrodden of this world. I donate to charities and I fought a war to help liberate oppressed people. My conscience is clear. But endless, mindless, illegal immigration is a disease that is making this country sick. Don’t tell me illegals are only taking jobs Americans don’t want. Ask any construction worker. Illegals don’t pick lettuce anymore. They build houses – for four dollars an hour. It’s a cruel form of modern slavery. We shouldn’t tolerate it.”
So yes, Mr. Obama, we small town folks are bitter, frustrated, and angry, too. We pray to God that one day, one of you politicians will offer “real change” and really mean it. And please don’t wait too long. The stupid natives are restless. You said it yourself.