Why does Palin believe that a community organizer doesn't have real duties? ?

Question

Should the unions, community group, and those who benifit from them be offended?

Community organizers create social movements by building a base of concerned people, mobilizing these community members to act, and developing leadership from and relationships among the people involved.

Organized community groups seek accountability from elected officials, corporations and institutions as well as increased direct representation within decision-making bodies and social reform. Where negotiations fail, these organizations seek to inform others outside of the organization of the issues being addressed and expose or pressure the decision-makers through a variety of means, including picketing, boycotting, sit-ins, petitioning, and electoral politics.

Community organizing is usually focused on more than just resolving specific issues. Organizing is empowering all community members, often with the end goal of distributing power equally throughout the community.

Answer 1

The truth behind the Obama community organizer debate:



The only reason Obama became a community organizer was to shore up the appeal of his lackluster resume for his Harvard Law School application. This is the strategy of every applicant, who has ambitious goals. His motivation to serve as a community organizer was driven more by self-interest than that of the community’s interest. This is a 100% fact. So, stop griping about Palin’s attack on faux community organizers like Obama. Real and selfless community organizers deserve our respect only.

Answer 2

The GOP have a habit of playing down qualities and undertakings of their opponents it seems. When gauging experience or judgement necessary to be president, fact is that NONE of the candidates have EVER had experience being President. Talking about executive, legislative, community, and even POW experience does not qualify anyone for president. It's how you take those experiences and form your ideas about America and how it should work. Not everyone can judge the effectiveness or importance of a community organizer even by being one as the experiences all vary greatly. And even if there are areas where accountability is not forced, personal responsibility can be assumed, as Obama advocates. Why should Americans only be motivated by contractual accountability to others?



Also, in belittling Obama's decision to initially serve the American public at the ground level without the backup of real power or influence of government ability, Palin seemed disrespectfully dismiss the fact that this nevertheless is a service to the American people.



And in response to Eli. Yes you too can run for president as long as you are a United States Citizen as established. Thats the great thing about our country. You don't have to be a CEO, super soldier, 100 language speaker, law expert, priest, and rocket scientist all mixed into one. The forefathers never set such bullish requirements that would belittle the value of people who simply work hard at what they do and have a vision for America and are willing to stand up to accomplish it rather than sit back and complain.

Answer 3

Should people be offended? The short answer is no. Does the republican camp really believe that an organizer has no responsibilities? No. In politics it is the very nature of the game to try to discredit the opponent and to take advantage of anything you can to try ad turn favor in your direction. Our responsibility is to look past the re-derrick and political games to the meat of the matter. We look at the nature of their service, their character, education, their voting record, personal achievements, and how clear they have been about their personal beliefs and goals for our country. We know that no matter what is said during a campaign that it is not personal but instead serves their agenda....to get into office. So our sole job is to ascertain their personal agendas and vote with whom we are most closely aligned. That means researching the rumors to weed out the facts from fiction and thus ensure a future closer to that which we, as individuals, desire.

Answer 4

I was terribly disturbed by Mrs. Palin's attack on community organizers. I guess she doesn't know that without community organizers she wouldn't be able to cast a vote let alone run for VP. I guess she doesn't know that without community organizers her children wouldn't have a public school to go to? I take it she doesn't understand that community organizers afforded her husband a place in his workers union? She must not understand that community organizers work in places that the government either forgets or never reaches. Sarah Palin laughed at community organizers while benefiting from their hard work.



A mayor works for the bureaucracy, a community organizer works for the people. They are the ones that police go to when trying to solve a crime. They are the ones who canvas neighborhoods looking for missing children. They are the ones who assist the people when government falls short.



Mrs. Palin and Mr. McCain admit that government has fallen short, funny thing is, they are part of the party that has controlled the government for the last 8 years. So I guess community organizers are the people who do the things the government can't or won't do for its citizens.

Answer 5

I consider her speech to be one of the most offensive speeches that I have heard so far this election cycle. The people who are criticizing her for belittling the job of a community organizer have a legitimate claim.



For example, when trying to bolster your case that you have more experience than the other candidate. It's not wise to make a remark like; "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."



In response Unstable Chimp



I am not searching for a problem with Gov. Palin nor will I overlook one when it arises in a candidate. To imply that a community organizer has no responsibilities is very ignorant. Martin Luther King Jr. was a community organizer. I thought he made a difference in the lives of Americans. I am tired of seeing ignorant leaders in office.



It does not make since to criticize those whose votes you seek.

Answer 6

And the wikipedia definition of a community organizer is.... OH wait I can just read you entry that makes it easier!

Palin never suggested that a community organizer does not have real duties but that said community organizer does not have the experience to run our country. Obama has so few political achievements that he is forced to add community organizer to his measly list. I'm a community organizer can I be president too?

McCain '08 - Don't get caught up in the Obama Rama

Answer 7

No, those people shouldn't be offended, unless they are the typical cry baby Americans looking for something that offends them.



The quote is taken out of context. Here, let's put it in context, shall we?



From the AP story by Tom Raum & Liz Sidoti-

"Before becoming governor, Palin served as mayor of Wasilla, she recounted, adding: "And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."



It's clear that her statement is nothing more than a witty comeback to Obama and the Democrats trying to discredit her experience as mayor. Her quote is obviously a shot at Obama's experience, and an attempt to state that a mayor's role in a community is of more importance than A SINGLE 'community organizer'. I would agree with this assessment.



For people who take the partial quote at face value and out of context, and get offended by it, those people are merely looking for something to discredit Palin.

Answer 8

Because she is correct.



A community organizer has no actual responsibilities, where as a Mayor is responsible for the village, town, or city.



A community organizer is not held responsible when thing go badly. A Mayor is held responsible for everything that goes wrong in the village, town, or city. Even when those things were out of their control.



A Mayor is accountable when the crime rate increases, a community organizer is not.



A Mayor is accountable when the unemployment rate increases, a community organizer is not.



A Mayor is accountable when civil unrest(rioting) occurs, a community organizer is not.



A community organizer is not held accountable for any negative activity in the community.

Answer 9

Jesus was a Community Organizer.

Pontius Pilate was a Governor.



Catholic Democrats is expressing surprise and shock that Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's acceptance speech tonight mocked her opponent's work in the 1980s for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. She belittled Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer in Catholic parishes on the South Side of Chicago, work he undertook instead of pursuing a lucrative career on Wall Street. Community organizing is at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching to end poverty and promote social justice.

Answer 10

What Palin said community organizers dont have "actual responsibilities."

Answer 11

I artwork for a close-by munipality - and that i will inform you our mayor has real responsibilites. it incredibly is working a city - by utilising city Council (alderman and lady) and the city administrator, and city Dept. directors. Palin went from there to working her state - ok- a community organizer is comparable how? Please, fill me in?

Answer 12

I only accidentally found this question; but, I have to tell you that as a community organizer myself I was very insulted. I do have responsibilities, and unlike a lot of people, when I fail to meet those responsibilities, I have to meet the people I have failed face to face - often every day.

Answer 13

Okee Dokee

Answer 14

Isn't the PTA a community organization? Didn't she sound awfully proud speaking of her time with the PTA?