In attempts to portray their grassroots opposition as trained Beltway insiders, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs cleverly resurrected the nickname “Brooks Brothers Brigade,” a phrase once used by Democrats to refer to the GOP presence during the recount saga of the 2000 election. It is rather strange for them to credit the Right for being so polished, especially given the enormous amount of contempt the Left shows for ordinary people on a daily basis, whether it’s Congressman Eric Massa (D-NY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) and so on. It must be difficult for Democrats to balance mocking conservatives as ignorant hicks and crucifying right-leaning Wall Street hotshots.
While Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) claims they outfit themselves in “pinks and limes,” any individual who understands the need for intellectual honesty knows that you would be more likely to see Obamacare opponents roll up to a local town hall in a Suburban than in a flashy Mercedes glorified with tinted windows and spinning rims.
What makes Senator Boxer’s claims most outrageous is that she condemns the protesters as “well-dressed middle class people” decked out in Brooks Brothers opulence. According to Gary Burtless of the Brookings Institute, the appropriate way to describe a family’s earnings level should be changed to reflect their finances. This would mean that a “middle income” family, as Burtless explains, would fall somewhere around the median household income of the U.S.: $48,200.
This figure shows just how out-of-touch Democrats are with reality. If a family of four making $48,200 can afford to line their closets with those “pinks and limes,” that would be a rather remarkable financial feat. Even on 60 percent clearance, a men’s dress shirt at Brooks Brothers can cost $97.50, a purchase that would seem a little foolish when a “middle income” family budgets a mortgage, car payment and basic living expenses.
Perhaps these liberal elitists should review the “ResistNet” Web page that outlines the Tea Party organizations’ plans to protest in Washington on September 12, 2009. A brief look at the page will offer a look at the truth. People are scrimping and saving to attend the rally. They are trying to work cooperatively to cut costs and befriend fellow activists. Some are even opening their home to fellow citizen activists. Oh, and they are paying for it out of their own pockets (unlike the paid protesters relied upon by the liberals).
Here, a woman opens her Alexandria, Va. home to allow for an out-of-town guest to participate in the protest:
“Please contact me at xxxxx. I live in old town Alexandria 3 blocks from the metro and I have one guest room available.”
Then, a man coordinates camping accommodations for himself and interested attendees:
“After careful consideration, I have found a way to DC for the 9/12 event… I have the ability to take 5 others and drive my costs down to about $75. HOW DO I DO IT: I own an 8 person, 3 room tent. I can take 5 others, as they made need room. I made reservations for a cost of $27 per night which includes electrical hookup. Fuel will be about $100. Meals about $100 [for 3 full days]. Comfort facilities supplied. Grill supplied, and fire ring, a great way to unwind after a long day in DC. Swimming and fishing available. If I find others want to come along, I can drive down these costs even more.”
This one is particularly touching, as a family enduring tough financial times sacrifices to attend the 9/12 rally:
“Hi, all. This is my first day here and at the risk of being forward I am looking for a crash course in the trip. My husband has been laid off three times since Obama took office so money is an issue. We will be driving from IL. We will be bringing two teens. We need the most affordable accomodations possible and would gladly accept sharing accommodations. Paying to stay in an extra bedroom of someones home with a couple of blow up mattresses for a nominal fee would be awesome. We have attended our local town hall, carried out several phone calls to our district and been tea party patriots so our heart has already decided on this March, now we just need to find the most affordable options that we can. BTW we drive a Chevy Astro that seats 8 comfortably. So if anyone from IL wants to share the gas expense and ride along please let me know. Thank you and look forward to being a part of this event.”
The question must be raised, then, to the liberal Congressional leadership and the White House: Do these people sound like “manufactured anger” and the “Brooks Brothers Brigade” to you?
What would make a woman in Alexandria, Va. open her home to a complete stranger or a penny-pinching family pack up and drive to D.C.? The answer, according to one activist planning to attend the rally, is that people are scared.
“They are watching the idea of American exceptionalism fly out the window and a president who wants to take over their health care,” she continued. “The people in Washington need to wise-up that Americans do not want this stuff and if they can’t see it, they’re just blind.”
“People are absolutely frightened about what’s happening with their government,” she said. “These are not super wealthy people. They are pretty typically of modest means.”
“These are people who are saving every last penny to take their kids to this,” she explained. “They are reaching out to each other to find ways to make it work, whether it’s camping or sharing rooms or offering space in apartments. People are willing to sleep on air mattresses or at a camp site. They don’t care. They want to make their voices heard.”
In efforts to vilify activists like those aforementioned Tea Party participants as disseminators of “disinformation,” the White House published a blog entitled “Facts are Stubborn Things.” President Obama is correct. They are stubborn things, really, especially when they are aligning against you and growing more and more abundant every day. The facts, and the people, are stacking up against the Administration, and they are stubborn to willfully ignore that they exist.
Maybe Brooks Brothers, since evidently not finding a booming market in the Tea Party folks, should craft a line for the Democrats instead: Delusion, sold exclusively in colors pink and lime.
Tags: 9/12, Barbara Boxer, Brooks Brothers, President Obama, ResistNet, Robert Gibbs, Tea Party Patriots, white house
