Are there really two Americas?

Published on July 16, 2004 By Madine In Democrat

John Edwards' speech about "Two Americas" was a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. While the message is not as prominent in the Kerry-Edwards ticket, Kerry has embraced it.

The crux of the Two Americas message is that one America is working hard and struggling to pay bills, and the other America is awash in money and not contributing enough to society.

Is this an accurate portrayal of America today? Intuitively, Edwards' message makes sense. Health care costs are rising. College costs are rising. Insurance costs are rising. Surely something must be wrong.

The middle class certainly is facing problems in America. But that is only one of Edwards' Americas. The problems, according to Edwards, are the result of the harmful actions or inactions of the other America, the rich. The rich are sitting by the pool and soaking up tax breaks while the working Americans are out in the cold. Is that true? Are the problems in America the result of the rich?

Perhaps the best anecdotal counter to the slothful characterization of rich America would be John Edwards. Edwards has talked about how he went from being the son of a mill worker to being an attorney who stood up for the little guy. Edwards prides himself as being a champion of ordinary people against big companies, and he proclaims that his work made society better. Now, I don't neccessarily agree with all of the positions Edwards took as a lawyer. But I do believe that Edwards worked hard. I'm sure he worked long hours and traveled a great deal during his career as an attorney. John Edwards is very wealthy today, worth tens of millions of dollars. He didn't get that money stting by a pool phoning his stock broker. He got it because he worked as an attorney.

John Edwards wants to raise capital gains and dividend taxes on the rich. I can't understand why this makes sense. Investment creates jobs. That's right, investment creates jobs. Taxes on things like cigarettes and alcohol are sometimes called "sin taxes" because they are partly designed to discourage people using those products. Why should we have a "sin tax" on investment? Surely job creation is not a sin!

So no, I don't think are two Americas. I think there is one America, and we all have to work together to solve our problems regardless of our net worth.

Two Americas speech at Iowa

Comments (Page 1)

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

I could buy that there are two Americas, but not the two that Edwards preaches.

There is one where Americans are hard workers, accept responsibility, and earn their rewards.

And there is one where Americans are slack-asses, blame everyone but themselves, and demand that society pay them what they think they deserve.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

I think multi-millianares have enough money to have they're taxes raises, about 50+%.

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

I think multi-millianares have enough money to have they're taxes raises, about 50+%

I certainly think Edwards deserves this since his years as a lawyer contributed significantly to raising the cost of health care in America.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

I am so tired of this arguement. Rich people aren't more hard working, they're just lucky that they're parents are rich. Look at GWB, he got a free ride to Governor off his father, which, alongside his brother and Catherine Harris, brought him to President. While kids in the ghetto have no chance going in. Do you know 1 in 20 black males die from murder? Thats pretty pathetic. And the millionares can't spare a dime.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

I certainly think Edwards deserves this since his years as a lawyer contributed significantly to raising the cost of health care in America.

I don't really care, as long as the taxes are getting raised, instead of lowered.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

I am so tired of this arguement. Rich people aren't more hard working

I never said rich people are the hard working ones. I believe there are rich and poor in both categories.

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

Do you know 1 in 20 black males die from murder? Thats pretty pathetic. And the millionares can't spare a dime.

The millionares ARE sparing dimes... billions of them.

Is it the millionares that are murdering these 1 in 20 black males? Maybe you should address the cause of those murders isntead of asking for the rich to pay blood money.

on Jul 16, 2004

I just don't like people that try to pull down rich people. Not all rich people get rich by "old money". How about Bill Gates? He started poor and look at him. He's the richest person now. Fair tax for everyone is a better solution.

Jay Walker

on Jul 16, 2004

Bill Gates did not "start poor". He's the son of a very wealthy attorney. He attended Harvard University.

From the Microsoft iste ...

"Their father, William H. Gates II, is a Seattle attorney. Their late mother, Mary Gates, was a schoolteacher, University of Washington regent, and chairwoman of United Way International. "

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

Bill Gates did not "start poor". He's the son of a very wealthy attorney. He attended Harvard University.

This doesn't change the fact that many people have pulled themselves up from humble beginnings.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

Donald Trump wasn't rich, and I'm sure there's more. But it doesn't change the fact that the odds are if you grow up rich you'll be rich and if you grow up poor, you'll be poor. It's not too easy to overcome poverty.

iul89

on Jul 16, 2004

The difference is that in america, you have the opportunity to change your status.

I'd like to see you escape poverty.

CS Guy

on Jul 16, 2004

I'd like to see you escape poverty.

That statement just shows your ignorance of the people on JU. Many of the people here, myself included, have been homeless and poor, and we managed to "escape." Little Whip has overcome more adversity than anyone I know.

Madine

on Jul 16, 2004

Read about how Brad Wardell escaped poverty

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!