"In her acceptance speech Gov. Palin sent a rousing call to those who want to celebrate their resistance to change and a higher vision Look at what she stands for: Small town values — a nostaligic return to simpler times disguises a denial of America’s global role, a return to petty, small-minded parochialism. Ignorance of world affairs — a repudiation of the need to repair America’s image abroad. Family values — a code for walling out anybody who makes a claim for social justice. Such strangers, being outside the family, don’t need to be needed. Rigid stands on guns and abortion — a scornful repudiation that these issues can be negotiated with those who disagree. Patriotism — the usual fallback in a failed war. ”Reform” — an italicized term, since in addition to cleaning out corruption and excessive spending, one also throws out anyone who doesn’t fit your ideology." - Jason Wehmhoener from Bookmarklet

This is the epitome of not getting it. Chopra defines "Small town values" as "...a denial of America's global role, a return to petty, small minded, parochilalism." What? Um, no...how about "valuing the strength of the family and the community, working hard, being self sufficient." He dismisses "family values" which most people would say means, "two active, involved, and loving parents are best for kids." His perspectives on Americans core values are laughable and do nothing but isolate him. - Ryan Kuder

I'm not sure it's accurate to lump "Americans" together like that. - Jason Wehmhoener

The Daily Show examined what the heck "Small Town Values" are and the RNC delegates came up with homophobia and fishing. "Family Values" is nothing more than a code word for puritanical anti-sex bigotry. - Eric P

Whether you like it or not, this way of thinking--this superiority complex that thinks that everyone who disagrees is an uneducated, mean spirited, rube--is the reason that Democrats are constantly walking around saying, "I can't believe we're losing to this guy!" - Ryan Kuder

@Ryan, YOU may have some romantic belief that "small town" and "family" values are some kind of idealized form of humanity. Hold on to that symbol and gather what you can from it, but you must acknowledge that it is in fact a symbol for something you hold dear, not a universal truth. Palin and the arch-conservatives who are propping her up are counting on YOU. They are using your beliefs to undermine your intentions. The right wants nothing more than to continue a very lucrative fleecing. - Clay Newton

Completely agree with Ryan. - Amit Patel

@Clay, I'm an undecided voter right now, however quotes like Mr. Chopras tend to push me away from Obama rather than towards him. Ironically, you just demonstrated what I see as the Democrats tragic flaw. You just told me that I'm a pawn who's being used--"fleeced"--by a manipulative right wing cabal. In reality, I'm a well educated dad with two kids and a mortgage who wants what's best for my family--just like you. I'll decide when I'm being fleeced, and I'll let you decide the same thing for yourself. - Ryan Kuder

Ryan, my recommendation is step away from the noise that folks like me put out there. Visit their websites and read their plans [I am assuming McCain's is on his site, in fairness I have not explored it] then decided for yourself, based on your personal criteria. For me, it's the economy stupid, it is leadership, climate and infrastructure. Obama is the answer for me based on my priorities and how I view the past. Folks get caught up in the passion of the race --- and that's a good thing --- it is great that ppl care again. - Ruth Ferguson

But don't let the soundbytes, pundits, or our opinions influence you. - Ruth Ferguson

Hmm, OK, so Deepak's words are apparently a polarizing force. And reflecting on it all, that's not really what I'm looking for right now. However, I do want to point out that what he's drawing attention to is a tendency to focus on the personal (small, local, family) and avoid looking out towards the social (diverse, global). In other words, I feel we Americans tend to be narcissistic and lack empathy for people we aren't related to. - Jason Wehmhoener

I feel the right can easily take advantage of this minor form of short-sighted selfishness to justify the grand theft taking place amongst the cronies. I guess I can understand that someone who doesn't want to believe the theft is taking place is going to miss the evidence, but it's a fact, not an opinion. - Jason Wehmhoener

Considering much of the pseudo-scientific woo that Deepak also thinks makes sense I don't think I'll be taking his analysis of this particularly seriously. - Soulhuntre

@Ruth - +1, well said. - Soulhuntre

I'm no Chopra fan at all. He has commercialized "lite" Buddhism/spirituality. Meh. - Tad, Anti-Immanentizer

Soulhuntre, I hear you on Deepak in general. I just found myself nodding along with this blog post (that a friend had emailed to me) in particular. - Jason Wehmhoener

I found Chopra's bullet points to be dead on. I think these small town caricatures are mythical and are knowingly and aggressively wielded to paint over in sloppy, nostalgic, broad stokes, our nuanced, complex, and less idyllic reality. It is akin to Bush's use of cowboy aphorisms to grant all of his audience a free pass from the binds of intellectual engagement in favor of an easy ride down a path of summarily conclusive, cartoonish, truisms. (cont'd) - Christopher Sacca

I agree that these examples highlight the achilles heel of the Democratic party. However, I believe it isn't the result of a superiority complex in all cases. I, for example, am humbled by the power of Republican messaging to create and romanticize these narratives and win buy-in from people who should traditionally have no self-interest in a Republican win. E.g. I met two poor black men in the South recently, one just out of prison. .... - Christopher Sacca

@Ruth. Let me clarify. I'm undecided---not confused. @Jason, I hope you're not insinuating that because taking care of my family is the single most important thing to me that I'm short-sighted or selfish. Those two views (local and global) aren't mutually exclusive. - Ryan Kuder

They both loved W. When pressed why, they responded that Bush had taught Saddam a lesson for blowing up the Twin Towers. Say what you will about building a diverse party base, however, two poor, black men from Arkansas, one with a penal record, both working for minimum wage, are not going to be among the biggest winners in a Republican administration. Yet, the allure of a compelling eye for an eye resolution is irresistible to these guys and can get them to see past their own healthy self-interest. - Christopher Sacca

Ryan, they aren't for you, but in the rhetoric that gets bandied about, they can be perceived as such. Maybe you're right and I'm adding fuel to the fire. I'll think about it some more. Alas, I'm about to dive into a morning of meetings :-( - Jason Wehmhoener

Ryan, can you explain why the tone used by some random dude on the Internet pushes you away from a candidate? Deepak isn't providing any new facts about Obama or McCain, nor is he demonstrating anything about the spirit or character of the candidates or their campaigns. Are you getting a sense from a community at large that you're not welcome or that what's important to you is not supported? - ⓞnor

ahh yes, the old "small town values" meme. a sure-fire way to polarize a group of folks. priceless. - MikeAmundsen

Small towns don't have a monopoly on hard work and self-sufficience, and in reality American cities are more self-sufficient than small towns. But Republicans clearly speak to a broad-based disenchantment with modernity, and I'm not rejecting Ryan's, or anyone's, identification with that disenchantment. What I reject is the Republican answer to the question "okay, you don't like it; what are you going to do about it?". And that's what I think is important. - ⓞnor

But I'm fascinated by the presence of an undecided voter. Ryan, can you describe the things that push you one way, or another? - ⓞnor

@nor In this thread, Republicans have been accused of: "petty, small-minded parochialism"; "ignorance of world affairs"; "puritanical anti-sex bigotry"; "short-sighted selfishness"; and most recently, "disenchantment with modernity". I am none of these things. For an allegedly inclusive party that owns tolerance, I'm just not feeling it. It's counter productive to your message of hope. - Ryan Kuder

Ryan, my apologies I did not mean to suggest you were confused. - Ruth Ferguson

But Ryan despite our passion --- we are not running for office. Just as I should not judge you by any measuring stick other than how I perceive you in my interactions I think the same goes for these folks. You are not going to find a perfect person, campaign or supporters. - Ruth Ferguson

@jason Not sure I agree. I think many Dems embrace departure from the party line. Gavin Newsom is a great example of a pol who strays from orthodoxy and enjoys high popularity. Furthermore, I don't think most Dems would argue against the gift of living in a vibrant community, having a close and healthy family, believing in one's country, etc. Those are almost universally regarded as virtues.The point most here are making is that Republicans use these sentiments as exclusionary rhetorical weapons. - Christopher Sacca

For what it's worth, I think I've gotten more out of Ryan's comments than Deepak's article, though I still wish he'd vote Democrat in the upcoming presidential election. - Jason Wehmhoener

@Ryan: I'm curious what you think of the Republicans spending four days belittling cosmopolitanism, urban citizens, community organizers, and everyone who thinks differently from them at their convention. That you'd tolerate this from one side while declaring that it's off putting for the other side to do it strikes me as a little hypocritical. - Eric P

As much as it might be interesting to discuss the emotional/psychological background driving these decisions, it's probably counterproductive and polarizing, so I'm feeling that I have erred in posting this link. What will be more productive is to focus on rational discussion of issues, and I'm going to think harder about how to do that. The trouble is that the selection of voices discussing issues is much smaller than those opining and generalizing about character, psychology and demographics. - Jason Wehmhoener

RE: Family values. You know what I think it means to value families? Making sure they have healthcare. Making sure they can have a living wage. Universal pre-k. Parental leave. Emphasizing family planning and comprehensive sex education. Republicans, on the other hand, universally use "family values" as an Orwellian term to attack homosexuality, pornography, and anything that's not fundamentalist christianity - positions antithetical to an ostensibly free society. - Eric P

@Eric: I dislike it equally. First, it's factually incorrect. Second, it's strategically a bad move. We all have the same goals and motivations: peace, prosperity, happiness, a clean environment to live in. We may disagree with the best ways to get there, but neither side is "good" while the other is "bad." - Ryan Kuder