Michele Bachmann, American Girl

By now we all Tom Petty is none-too-happy with Republican Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's use of one of his songs at a campaign rally.  A nice bit of cultural critique here, from Politico.  The emphasis is mine:

You hear the message of American greatness amplified in the music at Republican rallies, like Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American,” Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn’s “Only in America” and Travis Tritt’s “Rough Around the Edges.”

America is great. As an American and a progressive I celebrate what’s possible only in America, embrace our country’s scrappy rough-hewn edges and admit to tearing up whenever I hear “Proud to be an American.” These songs are played at Democratic rallies, too.

But you also hear music there from progressive songwriters who challenge America to be better than it is. These songs are even more inspiring. They acknowledge that what makes America “exceptional” is our commitment to the principles of liberty, justice and opportunity for all — not just what we have already achieved.

And more, from Sam Seder and Majority Report Radio.  Listen to the whole thing.



Of course, what is interesting is not just that Republicans appropriate iconic pieces of American material culture as their own, but -- why they do so.  Is it done on purpose?  Do they not know exactly what it is that they are claiming their own?  Do they just, not get it?  Is it simply a matter of laziness?

Interesting.  And fun.