GOP slander makes Obama, and us, bleed

Jonah Goldberg says “The presidency reveals Obama as the god who bleeds (Aug. 2).”

I never thought of Obama as any sort of god, but as a smart and kind man who remains the best hope to solve America's problems. He is up against ruthless, powerful vested interests who are pulling out all the stops to make him “bleed.”

Even a god would find his poll ratings damaged when up against relentless slander and propaganda. Republicans have their own 24/7 Fox “news” channel, and their own newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, both owned by right-wing media billionaire Rupert Murdoch, spewing lies. They are the two linchpins of a right-wing corporate media empire which also includes AM radio with Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and others, bloggers, dozens of right-wing pundits like Goldberg, Charles Krauthammer and yet another Limbaugh (David), and more.

For years the Republicans have bred and encouraged cynicism about government. Government is our defense against the power of the corporations, the rich and the special interests. Republicans have successfully convinced us to neuter our own power.

They have created a well-oiled machine that keeps the rich and powerful rich and powerful, at the expense of the rest of us. Yes, they are making Obama bleed. When he bleeds, so do we.

John Elinett

Marion