Fair share Quote by Dinesh D'Souza
““But there is also a rival view, which we can call the mainstream progressive or Obama view. This view agrees with the diagnosis of America but provides a different remedy. The mainstream progressive remedy is guilt and atonement. Americans, in this view, should feel guilty about what they have done and continue to do. Moreover, Americans—especially those who are productive and successful—must realize that their wealth is illegitimate and must be returned to its rightful owners. Obama clearly believes this. He aggressively peddles the theft critique, especially through his “fair share” rhetoric, and his own presidency is a tribute to the power of the theft argument. How, for example, did Obama get elected as a complete unknown? How did he get reelected when the economy was doing so badly? Why do the media give him a perpetual honeymoon? There is a one-word answer: slavery. America’s national guilt over slavery continues to benefit Obama, who ironically is not himself descended from slaves.””
About This Quote
Source Book: America: The Last Best Hope?, Dinesh D'Souza, 2010
The author argues that mainstream progressive politics frames America's history as guilt over slavery, using that guilt to justify wealth redistribution and political support for leaders like Obama.
In simple terms: Progressives use historical guilt to push redistribution policies and political narratives.
Recognize how historical narratives shape policy debates.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- election analysis
- public discourse
- policy advocacy
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does historical guilt influence current policy?
- What other factors explain political popularity?
The argument may oversimplify complex socioeconomic factors and ignore other motivations for political support.