Russell Hilliard, Jr. – 2/25/09

This page was last updated on February 26, 2009.

Obama must undo a lot of damage; Russell Hilliard, Jr.; Beaver County Times; February 25, 2009.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Ronald Reagan was a great president — if you happened to be a rich man or woman.”

[RWC] The old “Republicans are only for the rich” BS. You’ll note Mr. Hilliard didn’t provide anything to support his position. You’ll find this letter is simply a list of drive-by accusations/assertions.

“The problem with trickle-down economics was that it did not trickle down fast enough, if it trickled at all. The working men and women of this country got shafted.”

[RWC] Note Mr. Hilliard didn’t tell us how the “working men and women of this country got shafted.”

Be aware Mr. Hilliard’s definition of “working men and women” may not be the same as yours and mine. According to a local lefty, you’re “working people” only if someone else signs your paycheck. Therefore, no matter how large or small the business, we’re not “working men and women” if we own a business.

“After he left office, we got Bush Sr., who gave us more of the same.

“Yes, Bill Clinton signed some bills that hurt the American worker, but for the most part the economy was good.”

[RWC] Read this sentence closely. It says that since “for the most part the economy was good,” it’s OK to overlook the bills Mr. Clinton signed “that hurt the American worker.” Translation: Mr. Hilliard has different rules for Democrats and Republicans.

You’ll note Mr. Hilliard didn’t tell us which bills “hurt the American worker” and how.

“Then, of course, we had Bush Jr., whose daddy had to buy him his presidency.”

[RWC] How?

“I remember back in the 1990s when the Republicans had their so-called Contract with America. Well, here it is 2009, and I would have to say that that contract is null and void.”

[RWC] I wonder if Mr. Hilliard knows what was in the Contract with America.

“Maybe Barack Obama can get us out of this mess that we are in or maybe not. But he does seem to care about the working men and women of this country.”

[RWC] Translation: Even when Mr. Obama fails, it will be OK because “he does seem to care about the working men and women of this country.” This is how the left “judges” its own. Alleged intentions matter more than results.

“Maybe he can undo some of the injustice we have endured for the last 21 years.”

[RWC] What’s “the injustice we have endured,” Mr. Hilliard?

I’m confused. At the beginning of the letter Mr. Hilliard attacked Mr. Reagan, yet by referring to “the last 21 years” Mr. Hilliard explicitly excluded the Reagan administration from blame for “the injustice we have endured for the last 21 years.”