Barack Obama is Sister Sharon Falconer

Sister Sarah R Brother Barack. Screenshot above of Jean Simmons as Sarah Falconer saving a soul in "Elmer Gantry," the timeless 1960 film, in Wikipedia's take "about a con man and a female evangelist selling religion to small town America." But isn't that exactly what Barack Obama & Company have been up to these last two years?

"Elmer Gantry," one of the nation's primal stories — a totally awesome cautionary tale given full hot-blooded life in the movie [that's what we used to call films back in the day] starring a larger-than-life Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons, that we happen to be watching this very minute for the umpteenth time — the flip side of the Founding Fathers' vision of fiercely independent, educated thinkers charting their own course. A Hollywood version of our country's prototypal Great Awakenings where the con man/woman suckers the unwashed, now being ushered into the 21st century via the latest technology with Baracko Bama as Simmons's charismatic character, Sister Sharon Falconer. It's killing us, but we're trying to learn to love it 'cause it's part and parcel of the nation's heart and soul. Utopian dreams are ever ready to capture the imagination of our weaker willed, more suggestible fellow citizens whenever the nation dozes off.

If this historic inauguration of our first mixed-race president has anything to do with racism, Obama himself set the tone way back in December of 2006 when he implied we were racist if we weren't buying what he was selling. But the worst for us, beyond his presumably left-leaning, big-government politics, is the cynical disingenuousness of the fundraising line the imminent Leader of the Free World has been feeding us little people. As we quoted his email in a previous post, "Just like we did on the campaign, we're relying entirely on supporters like you — ordinary people giving whatever they can afford to make this an event for all Americans." 'Wonder how many of the grassroots types are picking up on ABC News's latest horror story:

President-elect Barack Obama billed his inauguration an event "for all Americans." But in the nation's capital this long weekend, wealthy visitors are finding themselves a bit more equal -- and warmer -- than others.

Most Americans here to see President-elect Obama make history crammed onto buses and trains, slept on floors and fought crowds and cold. But the wealthiest Americans coming to see the event are enjoying all the perks their money and power ever warranted.

Want access? Want influence? George Soros and four family members gave a quarter of a million for the inaugural alone. It seems unseemly to us.

Update: Maggie's puts in a good word.

Comments

[goomp]

It makes one wonder. Were some of our 19th and 20th century leaders con men, or is it the overwhelming abundance of ways to reach the population that has led to what appears to be a decline in the honor and integrity of those who would be our leaders?

[Laura Lee Donoho]

I felt that I ought to instruct some of my students today that now that Barack Obama is the President they need to show him the proper respect by saying President Obama instead of the chant, "Obama, Obama, Obama." It was really getting kind of old and distracting from art class, and children need to learn proper manners and etiquette.

As to conning the masses, I'm sure that President Obama learned all he ever needed to know during the twenty years he attended the church of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

[Andy]

If you are looking for a con man, I suggest you look at the card dealer who just left the White House, the guy who promised you the good life but gave you a huge debt, a failing economy, a failed war, and the loss of your Constitutional rights....

[Jeaux Bleaux]

If Barack Obama is Sister Sharon then, clearly, Bill Clinton is Elmer Gantry. Judging by the recent partnership during the tax cut extension.