Chicago Tribune: There were two great speeches at the 2004 Democratic Convention — and, in a way, they complemented each other. The first, by a young state senator from Illinois, rejected the notion that America is hopelessly divided politically into blue states and red states: “There is not a liberal America and a conservative America,” declared Barack Obama, “there is the United States of America.”
The second, by the party’s vice-presidential nominee, lamented the fact that America is, however, badly divided in a different way: “The truth is,” John Edwards told delegates, “we still live in a country where there are two different Americas: one, for all of those people who have lived the American dream and don’t have to worry; and another for most Americans, everybody else who struggle to make ends meet every single day.”
We could argue whether Barack Obama’s dream of a politically united country still rings true. But there’s no doubt that John Edwards’ warning about “two Americas” was right on the money. And, as this week’s report from the Census Bureau confirms, it’s only gotten worse.
You could be forgiven for thinking things were getting better. After all, the stock market this week soared to record highs. Unemployment’s at its lowest rate since December 2008. In August, permits for future housing construction hit a five-year high. The economy’s definitely improving. Americans across the board are getting a lift. Right? No. Wrong!
Categories: Americas
Just imagine how much the poverty in America could be eliminated if all the $$$$$$ wasted in wars (both known and unknown) abroad were spent more productively!