American public discourse is rife with language that creates an “us” against “them” mentality

"Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax."
Mitt Romney on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 in remarks at a campaign fundraiser

Mitt Romney says 47 percent of Americans pay no income tax

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney said in the video. "All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.

"And I mean the president starts out with 48, 49 percent … he starts off with a huge number," Romney continued. "These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect. So he’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that’s what they sell every four years. And so my job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

共和党の大統領候補が、所得税も払わない、４７％のアメリカ国民が民主党の大統領を支持しているから、選挙戦は難しい、などといった発言があったわけですね。、

で、

Salon
WEDNESDAY, OCT 17, 2012 07:30 AM +0900
We’re the face of food stamps
When my husband lost his job, we landed in the 47 percent -- and learned how cruel other people's judgment can be
ABBY HENSON

　で、夫が失業して、自分の家族がその４７％の仲間入りして、フードスタンプなどの手当てをもらうようになったら、世間の冷たい視線が身にしみてきた。

According to Ruud, American public discourse is rife with language that creates an “us” against “them” mentality. She points to political talk radio, where commentators typically use one extreme case to represent the generic face of an issue. In this climate, where complex problems are framed in overly simplistic terms, she says, “It’s harder and harder to get accurate information and full information.”


For Ruud, one of the more alarming developments is the increase in the use of “dehumanizing imagery.” More and more, the needy among us are described as people leeching, sucking off of, or being a parasite on the system. “We’re right up to the edge with our language,” says Ruud. “We’re seeing that language being pushed.”

Ruud points out that American culture has always been about the individual striving to achieve. We want to work hard, be resourceful and succeed. But the current economy has put pressure on this ideal as more and more people lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

“The rhetoric has been so severe since 2007,” Ruud says. The divisive, extreme language once largely heard only on political talk radio is seeping into our discourse at work, in our communities and on the Web. Increasingly, that language is directed at anyone receiving government assistance.

For my husband and me, the rhetoric only serves to push us deeper into hiding. In the initial weeks after he lost his job, I was optimistic our situation would change quickly. I thought we’d be fine. We have savings and live modestly. We’d weather this storm.


But I am certain of one thing: We need to stop judging others while they are grappling to find their own solutions. As a nation, we should stop looking at people in 47 percent chunks and start looking at them as individuals. Everyone has their own journey to make and story to tell. Because that woman at Safeway? She just might be a Mama Bear, too

アメリカの文化というのは、”われわれ”　と　”あの人たち”　という風に大雑把に２項に対立させて、極端な例を挙げて、十羽一からげに”あの人たち”　のことをあげつらったりする、と。ーーー日本でいうと、生活保護を不正に受給して、パチンコしながらのうのうと暮らす一部の人を取り上げて、あの人たちは、ずるい、とかいうようなものですね。

　で、あの人たちは、寄生虫だとか、社会のゴミだとか、人間以下であるかのような表現もメディアにあらわれてきたり、しかも、アメリカは競争社会で、個人が努力して、成功することを奨励する社会で、そこから脱落した人たちは居場所がなくなる、と。


　すくなくとも、十羽一からげに否定的に評価しないで、個人、個人としてみてもらえませんかねええ？と。

　ほぼ、日本にもあてはまる議論ではないでしょうか？


　われわれ　と　かれら、一部の極端な例の不当な一般化、など、日本、アメリカ、イギリスの記者さんたちも十分注意を払っていただきたいものですね。