Demagogue

What is a demagogue?

At Wikipedia we find an insightful description for the term demagogue:

A demagogue (/ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/) or rabble-rouser is a political leader in a democracy who appeals to the emotions, prejudices, and ignorance of the less-educated people of a population in order to gain power. Demagogues usually oppose deliberation and advocate immediate, violent action to address a national crisis; they accuse moderate and thoughtful opponents of weakness. Demagogues have appeared in democracies since ancient Athens. They exploit a fundamental weakness in democracy: because ultimate power is held by the people, nothing stops the people from giving that power to someone who appeals to the lowest common denominator of a large segment of the population.


From Online Etymology, we learn the origins of the term "demagogue:"

demagogue (n.) 

1640s, from Greek demagogos "popular leader," also "leader of the mob," from demos "people" (see demotic) + agogos "leader," from agein "to lead" (see act (n.)). Often a term of disparagement since the time of its first use, in Athens, 5c. B.C.E. Form perhaps influenced by French demagogue (mid-14c.).

So is Obama a demagogue? Well, does he fit the descriptions above? Is he the leader of the mob? Absolutely! His speeches are riddled with rhetoric designed to stir the emotions of the masses, and who could argue that he is not "quick advocate immediate, violent action to address a national crisis?" I could go on but I want to keep the post brief.

And what of George W. Bush? Can we say he was the same of him? I dare say yes. In a democracy, we are ruled by demagogues. Wake up America.

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That's not "change we can believe in."