Obama Merchandise

So I was walking through Walmart the other day, looking for diapers and a birthday present under $5 when I came across an Obama poster. You know those racks they have, with all the posters of pro wrestlers, super models, rock bands, etc? Well right there at the end was an Obama poster, with his face composed of the words “yes we can.” Disgusted, I flipped to the next poster, and what do you know, it was a poster of Obama on the cover of Rolling Stone. Sigh.

(Photo by: Jose Luis Magana / AP)

So with a shiver I turned down the aisle to get away from the posters, and hanging there in front of me were Obama blankets. Obama blankets… Does this not strike anyone else as a little Russian or Chinese? Since when have we featured American Presidents on posters, blankets, t-shirts, tote-bags, tattoos, billboards, etc. For me, it conjures images of Communist Russia with grand frescos of Stalin or Lenin. When I think of leaders idolized in this way, I think of China’s Mao, Fidel Castro, or Mussolini. Now, I in no way am comparing Obama to these people (except for the love of socialism they all share, perhaps) but I do think this idolization has gone way, way too far. You don’t see posters and blankets for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or John Adams.

Americans idolize their Presidents on stamps and coins long after they are dead. And perhaps, just perhaps on a mountainside in South Dakota. But that’s it; not on t-shirts, magazine covers, water bottles, jewelry, shaved into your hair, fannypacks, tube socks and pop-tarts. I don’t hold this position because I don’t like Obama (though, seriously, I don’t like him) no I hold this position because America is America, and we hold the office of President in esteem, but we do not worship the President, we do not pay omage to the President, we do not bow to the President. No, he is simply a first among equals, a servant to the people. Would you put up a poster of your supervisor? Would you wear a t-shirt with your shift leaders ugly face on it? Nope, so why is Obama any different? “Well, he is the first black President.” Well George Washington was the first President of any color, where is that t-shirt? Bah.