Joe:
Reading your response to Aaron ("By working hard, anyone can succeed") and several previous right-leaning correspondents makes me wonder if perhaps you are just too nice of a guy.
One of the biggest obstacles this society faces in reforming our untenable economic system is the self deluded belief that "everyone can make it if they just work hard enough". Often, this belief is held by those who have themselves benefited from liberal policies, yet are incapable of admitting it.
For instance, Auburn is a state subsidized university with an average yearly tuition of $7,980. The "socialist" state subsidy of this institution allows someone doing menial labor to pay for an education they would either be unable to afford at a private institution or which would require huge debt. Even with the reduced cost, I doubt someone cutting lawns for a living could afford it and normal living expenses unless they benefited from a family member providing a roof over their head and food on the table. Finally, it should be pointed out that doing research for the aforesaid public institution, having "a few business ideas", and planning to run for office can hardly be considered economic success or even self sufficiency.
My intent here is not to be cruel to the previous correspondent, but to point out the willful blindness that is so pervasive among those who favor philosophies and policies that are contrary to their own best interests. I see and hear it so frequently, it's depressing.
My father's family emigrated north from their rural West Virginia home decades ago. Recently, I inherited a portion of the land they left behind and took a trip down to check it out. I was amazed at the isolation and crushing poverty I encountered. Those folks will not even realize when there is a recession, or even a depression. It won't change their lifestyle a whit. Even if every single one of them earned a doctorate, there would be no chance to apply their education. True, they could relocate, but the opportunities my grandfather found just aren't there any more. Overall, though, I bet that these people are happier than the stressed out corporate wage slaves I interact with every day.
As I watch the current economic catastrophe unfold, despite the fears I have for the hardship my own children will face, I welcome it. The people of this country have allowed themselves to be robbed by corporations and the small clique of capitalists that wield real power in America. As long as the majority were sated with moronic entertainment, and could finance an acceptable lifestyle by going into horrendous debt, they were willing to ignore the fact that the underpinnings of the middle class were being eroded out from beneath them. Well, "a revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation", and I believe that rather soon we will be facing a pretty bad situation. This may be the slap in the face America needs to open their eyes to the one sided class war that's been going on for the last thirty years.
In closing, I have to admit that, while I am a frequent reader of your web site, I have not purchased or read your book, Deer Hunting with Jesus, yet. Now that I have been reminded by Aaron that by doing so, I will be giving $25 to a fellow socialist to further his message, I feel obligated. I look forward to enjoying it.
In Solidarity,
Jim
