Mike Rowe of 'Dirty Jobs' and 'Somebody's Gotta Do It' appears on
Glenn Beck's radio program September 25, 2014. (Photo: TheBlaze TV)
Not long ago, The Blaze posted an article detailing former host
of
Dirty Jobs Mike Rowe, weighed in on the election and offered a
bit of sanity in the mire of news and opinion that followed. The
Facebook post in which Rowe spoke on the subject went viral, as
everyone seemed to appreciate the wisdom Rowe had to impart, one
writer at the Daily Dot did not.
Gillian Branstetter wrote a response article to Rowe’s post that
essentially accused Rowe of using economic concerns as a cover up
for the racism espoused by Trump. Branstetter also accused Rowe of
exploiting his fanbase with “bootstrap mythology” for personal gain.
Rowe wasn’t going to take that lying down, and in returning to
Facebook, the former host decided to give the Daily Dot writer a
little education on reality.
I believe a solid work ethic and a measure of ambition are
essential ingredients to success, and readily available to
anyone. Obviously, the desire to succeed and the willingness to
work hard are not enough to guarantee success, but success
without either is impossible. I also believe that any able
bodied person can metaphorically pull themselves up by their own
bootstraps. You call this belief a “myth,” and that puts us at
odds over the importance of individual self-reliance. That’s
fine, but to suggest that I have used this “mythology” to
“exploit my fan base for my own gain” is a “doozy” of an
accusation. I’ve exploited no one, Gillian. I run a scholarship
program that rewards individual work ethic. I do so, because I
believe work ethic is no longer encouraged to the degree it
should be. We’ve trained about 500 people for a long list of
good jobs, and I’m pretty sure none of them feel exploited.
Finally, “economic frustration and demographic resentment”
are not mutually exclusive. I understand that racism, sexism, or
all the other ism’s currently dominating the headlines are alive
and well in this country, and I suspect they always will be. But
I don’t believe our country is fundamentally racist. Millions of
white people who voted for Barack Obama, just voted for Donald
Trump. It makes little sense to accuse them of “demographic
resentment.”
Branstetter went on to accuse Trump voters of only caring about
blue-collar infrastructure work when it came down to Trump’s wall
along the Mexican border. Rowe once again injected a little reality,
and explained that people can support immigration laws, and be wary
of cities that refuse to enforce them, and still not be racist or
xenophobic.
Really Gillian? ALL supporters? Do you really believe all 62
million voters based their vote on a wall? Isn’t it possible
that a reasonable person might have a legitimate concern about
illegal immigration, support the building of a wall, look with
suspicion upon “sanctuary cities,” and NOT be anti-immigrant?
Isn’t it possible a reasonable person might want to see the
existing immigration laws enforced and not be a xenophobe? If
so, what would such a person do, when given the choice between a
crude businessman who speaks offensively, and a career
politician who promises to dramatically increase the flow of
refugees from countries that foment terrorism? Isn’t it also
possible that an immigration policy that’s actually enforced
might have a positive effect on overall economic anxiety?
Rowe continues to take apart Branstetter’s arguments bit by bit,
and finishes by responding to her idea that that people have a right
to anxious because Trump “used racism as the cure” to the job
problem, and that it “is a disservice to the kind of workers Rowe
promotes.”
“Deserve to be anxious?” You really do have an interesting
way of putting things, Gillian. Anxiety is not a thing anyone
“deserves.” It’s just a feeling, and like all feelings, it’s
ultimately a choice. Sometimes it’s justified, sometimes it
isn’t. But it has less to do with the facts in evidence, and
more to do with what scares us as individuals.
You and I for instance, are both anxious about President
Trump. I’m anxious because the man has never held office, he’s
never worn a uniform, and he’s frightened millions of people
with irresponsible rhetoric and bad behavior completely
inconsistent with the leader of the free world. That makes me
uneasy, no doubt about it.
You on the other hand, are anxious because you have taken
everything he’s said at face value. Moreover, you seem to
believe that everyone who voted for him did so because they
agree with everything he’s said and done. Surely, you have to
know how absurd that is. Do 60 million votes for Hillary Clinton
means 60 million Americans approve of lying under oath,
mishandling classified emails, and blatant “pay for play”
shenanigans with her foundation? Of course not. I know many
Hillary supporters who were disgusted by her behavior, and voted
for her anyway. I know many Trump supporters who followed suit.
You should take comfort in that. I’m not ignoring Trump or the
things he said. But you – and many others – would have us
believe the character of the country is no better than the
character of the candidates.
And that’s enough to make anybody anxious.
If you’d like to read Rowe’s entire response to the Daily Dot
article — and it’s recommended you do — follow the link below.