In commencement speech, U.S. Labor Secretary celebrates collectivism over individualism
U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez kicked up a hornet’s nest Monday after the commencement exercises at Ohio’s uber-liberal Oberlin College. He stated that individual ambition should be stifled in favor of the public good. Perez sent out a congratulatory tweet to the graduating seniors after he delivered the commencement address at Monday’s ceremony. His tweet bemoaned the notion that we were a “selfie culture” as opposed to a “#ussie culture.” This is an odd statement given that President Obama has become the most selfie-prone public figure in memory. Here’s the original tweet:
Congrats to @oberlincollege grads today. Remember: Don’t let individualism trump community; move from a selfie culture to an #ussie culture. — Tom Perez (@LaborSec) May 26, 2014
It didn’t take long for people to react to Perez’s “don’t let individualism trump community” statement, and replies of disgust continued into Tuesday morning:
@LaborSec @oberlincollege to disgrace America on this national holiday shows what a disaster you are. Please resign — Joe Sanders (@joesanders33) May 26, 2014
“Capitalist Pig” founder and regular Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig tweeted his own disgust at the statement, and called it for what it was:
“@LaborSec: Don’t let individualism trump community…” // Pure, un-American collectivism. — Jonathan Hoenig (@JonathanHoenig) May 26, 2014
Hoenig’s observation gave birth to a lot of other comments:
@JonathanHoenig @LaborSec Ladies and Gentlemen……This is YOUR Obama administration. — Honkey Tonk Jew (@lidsamy) May 26, 2014
@JonathanHoenig @LaborSec sorta life “it takes a village”-will USA become the collective? — Margaret Harrington (@62jerseygirl) May 26, 2014
@JonathanHoenig @LaborSec There’s something fundamentally wrong with this administration. Achievement and success are not dirty words. — Cary Hansen (@Cary_Hansen) May 26, 2014
One Twitter user couldn’t help but point out one of the president’s more infamous “selfie moments.”
@JonathanHoenig @ThePantau @LaborSec pic.twitter.com/VHehbYXM63 — TheSchubart (@theschubart) May 26, 2014
But mt favorite tweet came in the form of a bit of political humor:
You must be new to this whole “America” thing Tom. @LaborSec @oberlincollege — Political Humor (@PoliticalLaughs) May 26, 2014
There are lots more tweets, and they’re still coming in. Check them out by linking onto this thread.
