Rush Limbaugh made an observation about Olympian Michael Phelps earlier this week that I thought was worth passing along, since it pertains directly to liberalism and the mindset of the Left. I'll paraphrase the best I can.
A common comment we hear from liberals is that the U.S has only about 3% of the world's population, but it consumes about 25% of the world's resources. Therefore, America is a greedy country, and is guilty of raping the world and over-consuming its resources.
Rush's point is that, even if we accept those numbers as valid (which he doesn't), those same liberals never take into account the end result of that 25% consumption rate.
Case in point: Michael Phelps.
Phelps' daily diet includes about 10,000-12,000 calories per day:
At this rate of consumption, Phelps eats enough for a family of four. But, look at what he accomplishes with that consumption. He has set record after record, won race after race, generated millions of dollars for numerous companies through advertisements and endorsements, inspired young Americans to be physically active, and inspired patriotism and pride in us older folks through worldwide recognition of his achievements.
But, according to the precepts of the Left, Phelps is a villain.
Achievement takes energy, fuel, consumption. You don't get to be the best in the world by putting a mediocre amount of effort into something. You don't out-produce your competition by conservation alone. You conserve your energy where you can, and you expend it like the dickens when the time comes to put on that final burst of speed. But, the liberal Left's view of someone like Phelps is as the embodiment of evil -- a super-villain, if you will -- because he consumes far more resources than are his 'fair' share, he irritates the rest of the world by beating their swimmers, and he attempts to make America look good.
How dare he!
Michael Phelps is a microcosm of America - he consumes, works hard, produces, and excels. The point is that if we want America to continue being a world leader, it is perfectly acceptable to be a big consumer. After all, America feeds the world with our crops, America protects the world with our military, and America aids the world with our relief money. Without being such a big consumer, we couldn't possibly produce the crops, the technology, and the economic generosity that we currently produce. If we cut back our production (particularly of oil, which drives the engines of economy all over the world, and always has) and rely on conservation -- which is what the Democrats proudly pledge to do -- we will fall from leadership.
It is as simple as that. Now, I ask you: is Phelps a hero, or a villain? According to the liberal Left mindset, he's a villain of the worst kind.
I believe he's an American hero. Do you? How about America itself: hero, or villain?
There's my two cents.
A common comment we hear from liberals is that the U.S has only about 3% of the world's population, but it consumes about 25% of the world's resources. Therefore, America is a greedy country, and is guilty of raping the world and over-consuming its resources.
Rush's point is that, even if we accept those numbers as valid (which he doesn't), those same liberals never take into account the end result of that 25% consumption rate.
Case in point: Michael Phelps.
Phelps' daily diet includes about 10,000-12,000 calories per day:
Breakfast: three fried egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, and mayonnaise, two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar, and three chocolate chip pancakes
Lunch: a pound of enriched pasta, two large ham-and-cheese sandwiches slathered with mayonnaise on white bread, and a thousand calories' worth of energy drinks
Dinner: a pound of pasta with Bolognese sauce, an entire pizza, another thousand calories' worth of energy drinks
Lunch: a pound of enriched pasta, two large ham-and-cheese sandwiches slathered with mayonnaise on white bread, and a thousand calories' worth of energy drinks
Dinner: a pound of pasta with Bolognese sauce, an entire pizza, another thousand calories' worth of energy drinks
At this rate of consumption, Phelps eats enough for a family of four. But, look at what he accomplishes with that consumption. He has set record after record, won race after race, generated millions of dollars for numerous companies through advertisements and endorsements, inspired young Americans to be physically active, and inspired patriotism and pride in us older folks through worldwide recognition of his achievements.
But, according to the precepts of the Left, Phelps is a villain.
Achievement takes energy, fuel, consumption. You don't get to be the best in the world by putting a mediocre amount of effort into something. You don't out-produce your competition by conservation alone. You conserve your energy where you can, and you expend it like the dickens when the time comes to put on that final burst of speed. But, the liberal Left's view of someone like Phelps is as the embodiment of evil -- a super-villain, if you will -- because he consumes far more resources than are his 'fair' share, he irritates the rest of the world by beating their swimmers, and he attempts to make America look good.
How dare he!
Michael Phelps is a microcosm of America - he consumes, works hard, produces, and excels. The point is that if we want America to continue being a world leader, it is perfectly acceptable to be a big consumer. After all, America feeds the world with our crops, America protects the world with our military, and America aids the world with our relief money. Without being such a big consumer, we couldn't possibly produce the crops, the technology, and the economic generosity that we currently produce. If we cut back our production (particularly of oil, which drives the engines of economy all over the world, and always has) and rely on conservation -- which is what the Democrats proudly pledge to do -- we will fall from leadership.
It is as simple as that. Now, I ask you: is Phelps a hero, or a villain? According to the liberal Left mindset, he's a villain of the worst kind.
I believe he's an American hero. Do you? How about America itself: hero, or villain?
There's my two cents.
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