Age Quote by John Updike
![“President George] Bush talked to us like we were a bunch of morons and we ate it up. Can you imagine, the Pledge of Allegiance, read my lips-can you imagine such crap in this day and age?” quote by John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/11b/john-updike-396_age_president-george-bush-talked-to-us-like_270650.jpg)
“President George] Bush talked to us like we were a bunch of morons and we ate it up. Can you imagine, the Pledge of Allegiance, read my lips-can you imagine such crap in this day and age?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Pledge of Allegiance” commentary, 1990
He criticizes political rhetoric that treats citizens as uninformed.
In simple terms: Political speech can be condescending.
Key Takeaway
Demand respectful political dialogue.
Themes
politics
media
citizen engagement
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
satirical
When to use this quote
- elections
- media consumption
- public education
Key Concepts
rhetoric
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape public perception?
- What responsibilities do leaders have?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize audience intelligence.
![“I talk about going to his [George W. Bush's] Inauguration and crying when he took the oath, 'cause I was so afraid he was going to "wreck the economy and muck up the drinking water"... the failure of my pessimistic imagination at that moment boggles my mind now.” quote by Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d7/sarah-vowell-2016_causes_i-talk-about-going-to-his-george-w-bush_1287893.jpg)
![“Once he became president, George [H.] Bush revealed a vein of Styrofoam and no matter how deep he tried to go, he always ended up bobbing on the surface. His inaugural speech was like being present at the death of language.” quote by Kate Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/kate-clinton-16348_death_once-he-became-president-george-h-bush-r_1588195.jpg)
