Analyzing a Political Anthem: Pink's "Dear Mr. President"
Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
-According to HUD estimates, the homeless population has quadrupled in size in the last twenty years, while the number of beds available in shelters has fallen by approximately 57,000 (http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/mar2007/home-m19.shtml). However, since the plight of the homeless has not been a major point of contention within the Bush presidency, Pink may be referring here to those left homeless after Katrina. Bush was widely criticized for his slow reaction to the threat of the Hurricane and his delayed response to the destruction and victims.
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
-This most likely refers to the death of American soldiers in Iraq. According to icasualties.org, under President Bush's administration (and at press time), over 3500 soldiers had perished as a result of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
-This refers to President Bush's widely debated "No Child Left Behind" program, in which federal funding for schools is contingent on standardized test scores. The program has been praised by supporters for its aim to raise the bar for teachers and push for continued education, as well as its basis in literacy support and individual school accountability. It has also been berated for creating a narrow curriculum because of limited focus of the standardized tests, inadequate funding, allegations of test score manipulation and its clause to guarantee the facilitation of military recruitment during introductions to higher education.
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
-This refers to President Bush's adamant pro-life stance. In accordance with the teachings of Bush's Methodist faith, President Bush believes that life begins at conception. Therefore, he has a track record of opposing all proposals that interfere with life before birth. This also includes most stem-cell research proposals.
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
-Again, in accordance with standard Methodist teachings, Bush is opposed to homosexual unions. In particular, President Bush has pushed for the "Marriage Protection Amendment," a piece of legislature which would define marriage as the union between a man and a woman (http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2042516&page=1). Bush has met controversy during his term when it was revealed that Dick Cheney's daughter was openly gay and having a child with her partner.
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.
-This refers to allegations that Bush had an affinity for alcohol in his youth. Pink refers to cocaine here because of Bush's supposed arrest and ensuing discovery of cocaine possession in 1972. Bush neither confirms nor denies these allegations, saying only "when I was young and irresponsible, I was young and irresponsible."
Regardless of your political viewpoints, Pink's song is a thought provoking listen. While I have attempted to remain neutral in this piece, the song stirs your opinion either to one side or the other. As it ends with the words, "Dear Mr. President, you'd never take a walk with me, would you?" I urge you to use it to spur discussions of your own.
Published by Katie O'Connor
I'm a recent graduate, forever seeking new ways to show my writing to the world. Hope you enjoy these clips! View profile
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The No Child Left Behind Act Fails to DeliverNo Child Left Behind Act does not achieve the original goal and public schools suffer because of it.- Will the No Child Left Behind Act Solve Problems with Our Education System?As our economy changes, is our educational system changing with it? Is the No Child Left Behind Act a detriment to our public educational system? Some say it is and some say the federal government needs out of education.
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- President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program has been a major point of debate during his term
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- Pink's political statements have stirred strong opinions by both sides of the political debate.
27 Comments
Post a Commentthanks to most of you for your supportive feed back i really appresiate it it wasint hard wirting that song and to tell you the truth it all came from the heart GEORGE BUSH AS PRESIDENT IS NOT OKAY
Pink's song is very heart warming. she is such a beautiful singer adn wrote such an amazing song. Even though Ive never been to america i agree with pink he thinks his is better than everyone else.And so what is people are gay they are still the same person but just feel different. him being anti-gay is sexastit.
to pay the electric bill or if we'll lose electricity his week. so here's to all the ignorant and arrogant of the country hoping one day you'll crawl out from under your rock and realize there's a whole world out there.
The previous comment was meant for all the people bashing the homeless. Unless you know someone who has been homeless all you will ever know is your own little world where everything is perfect and anyone who doesn't do well in the world is just lazy. Sadly that is what this country has become. A country of the ignorant and arrogant. I understand that "america's freedoms" give me the right to say all this and it also gives everyone else the right to be idiots apparently. Most americans have their heads so far up their butts they can't see past their own neighborhood. They've never known what it's like to live in a slum, while pregnant, trying to go to school and support a household because the people who complain about all the homeless and say that they're just lazy, are in reality mostly the people who have never had real hardship in their lives. They've never experienced having to choose between paying rent and eating a meal (which I have done) never had to worry about whether or not
go ignorance. that's all i have to say.
I'm reaching 16 years old soon. Even though this song is ages ago but i believe that Pink did the right thing. She is an inspiration for sticking up for those who have lost hope. The homeless, the people who have never had a family or education and those who have to go to war. The president should be doing something! I've never heard Bush doing something for the country of America, I've heard stories he's been on a number of holidays whilst people fight in Iraq for America. Obama, seems to be making an effort for helping everyone in America at least. So i'm proud of Pink! using her fame and ability to touch the hearts of people through her exceptional ability to sing.
George Bush could have possibly made a better president in perhaps a different time if we think of all the great presidents throughout history%252C they were great becasue they rose to the occasion and handled it well. Perhaps Bush would have done better in a different situation%252C but yes I do agree with pinks song%252C some of his decisions as president were questionable but cut the guy some slack%2521 He is only human after all.html?cat=9
I agree with the song of Pink. George Bush needs to do something about this. I'm not trying to be mean or anything. I'm just being honest and truthful. All the problems that have been said in Pink's song has to be fixed and others that wasn't been stated in the song too. Of course. The President should've provided houses for the homeless. He should've tried to end the war in Iraq. He should'vev done somthing to help make things much better.
Pink made this song to tell her opinion to george bush. She just wanted something good to happen okay
She was just sick and tired of seeing and hearing these crap everywhere.
So dont get mad and get so pissed of why she did this.
there's a good reason why she did it okay.
Dont be so negative and stuff people.
honestly, i like this song. Anyways, I like what Pink just did. She's saying her opinion out loud. She wants something to happen. She doesnt like hearing and seeing these things happening. She wants a change around this place.
It's not the homeless fault why they're homeless.
They dont have any house cause probably they dont have a job.
Probably they dont have a job because they have a mental problem or
something. Or they didnt get to finish school for some reason. I dont know... but it's really all there fault.