(06-28-2014 04:45 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote: Because it's a great usage of pathos. In a nation that is as class conscious as we've every been (with little ability to actually be that way) you have to demonstrate where you stand and with poorer people that means you have to be "real". Rich people who acknowledge their wealth aren't well received (example: Romney) because in some people's eyes, they aren't capable of understanding anything besides fancy dinners and being socialites.
I know at one point it was almost impossible to not hear the words "Scott Brown" and "pickup truck" in the same sentence, trying to appeal to the voters that value that type of thing.
I think what you say has a lot of truth to it, and frankly it's rather sad and pathetic and discerning and maddening.
Since when, in THIS country do we celebrate or cater to or wish to "identify" with the losers? Not to say that all poor or lower rung folks are losers, but what the hell is it nowadays with the working class worship crap? Why are "we" now apologizing for those that achieve? Why would anyone want to say they can identify with being poor if they actually can't?
Does that make one more virtuous? More "pure" or something? Salt of the earth, perhaps? Hell I do what I do and live how we live so that someday, hopefully I can make damn well SURE that neither of my kids will
ever have to worry about a place to live or their next meal.
There was a time, not so long ago, when
everyone (loosely speaking) had ambition to identify with the climbers and achievers. Optimisim, go get it ism, chasing your dreamsism. Now? It's depressing. Dress like a bum, live like a bum, work for a bums wage and you're celebrated. Make it on your own and drop a cool couple hundred Mill in the bank account and your vilified and derided as some kind of social pariah.
It's the Country I once knew turned upside down. Makes NO sense.