Quote Of The Day
Michelle Obama on what our kids need:
We need all of our children to be exposed to the entrepreneurial ideals that our businesspeople from around the country represent, particularly this time in our nation’s history, where government taxation and regulation is strangling the economy and entrepreneurship opportunities dry up. It becomes increasingly harder for our kids to learn to be self-sufficient, in a nation where we’ve coddled their self-esteem through sports where we don’t keep score, social promotion in our schools, and a welfare-state mentality where they have little fear of failure. When we’re seeing rates of 18 to 24 unemployment over 50% due to minimum wage laws, it is so important for them to realize that if they want to succeed, the government is doing nothing but keeping them in a state of slothful apathetic dependency on their couch, waiting for the next unemployment check to arrive. We need to raise up the platform and recognize folks like Bill Gates, Paula Deen, Robert Johnson, Craig Newmark, and John Mackey, to ensure that our kids understand that it is not government that makes this country great, but the hard work and dedication of individuals trying to make their own lives and those of the people around them better.
Oh, wait, that’s not her quote. I made that up.
Her quote — in “advocacy” for Chicago’s bid for the Olympics — was a lot more condescending and appears to blame American kids’ obesity and laziness on a lack of government programs. In fact, rather than suggesting that Chicago is a great place to host the Olympic Games, she’s claiming that we need them here because without those positive role models, our kids will fall apart like the fragile little creatures we’ve let them become.
We need all of our children to be exposed to the Olympic ideals that athletes from around the world represent, particularly this time in our nation’s history, where athletics is becoming more of a fleeting opportunity. Funds dry up so it becomes harder for kids to engage in sports, to learn how to swim, to even ride a bike. When we’re seeing rates of childhood obesity increase, it is so important for us to raise up the platform of fitness and competition and fair play; to teach kids to cheer on the victors and empathize with those in defeat, but most importantly, to recognize that all the hard work that is required to do something special.
America used to bid on the Games by suggesting that we were the best place to host the Games — you know, from each according to his ability. Now, on the other hand, we bid based on how much the Games will bring to us — to each according to his need.
A bid for the Olympic Games is not where I’d ever expect to hear “it’s for the children”.
Hat Tip: McQ @ QandO
