The Myth of the Self-Made American

[mgc1961]

One of the biggest problems facing the Democrats going into this election is that they're getting absolutely zero respect for everything they've done for the average American over the past two years. Tax cuts, health care reform, financial reform, expanded veterans' benefits, direct funding of student loans -- the list is long, and one that, by rights, should get the Democrats re-elected handily.

The problem is that the average voter has no idea that any of this ever happened. In fact, if you ask most Americans (even a lot of Democrats), they'll tell you that Obama raised their taxes.

This ignorance is on full display at your average Tea Party gathering, which is full of people who will proudly insist that they're entirely self-made. "I did it all myself," they'll snarl, quivering in spittle-flecked outrage. "I didn't get any government handouts. Nobody ever did anything for me -- so why are all my tax dollars going to support those shiftless welfare cheats who aren't willing to work like I did?"

Where's the rest of this article? Right here: http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010104329/myth-self-made-american-why-progressives-get-no-respect

[bulloney]

1. I have several in-laws who act like they're self-made, but it's quite the opposite.

One operates a business handed down to him from his father.

Another has a financially secure future for him and his children, as his father helped establish a multi-million dollar corporation.

Another and his wife have made their living as municipal or public school employees, meaning their wages and retirements are taxpayer-funded.

And they all go around acting like they're these rugged individualists who made it to where they are today because they did it all themselves and didn't need any handouts from anybody.

We have similar stories from many others in my community who are not related.

[Moostache]

2. I cordially invite all of these "pioneers" to return to their roots:

Covered wagons on the Oregon Trail....I figure that influenza and other illnesses will trim their numbers by 1/2 by next year. After that, the ones who do not starve to death in their attempt to live what they SAY they are, will come back crying for government protection from those marauding bands of Indians loosed from their reservations. Oh wait...that's a lot like what really happened the FIRST time the west was settled.

The myth was always just that...a myth from the very beginning. Its a lot like trying to argue science and facts with a creationist...there is no amount of evidence or fact that will sway them, so I welcome them to try first hand experience instead.

[andym]

4. Perhaps the Tea party should really be called the Donner party

since they want to return to the rugged values of that era:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

Some of the behavior of the participants of the Donner party would likely be applauded by Tea party members.

Like:
"Margret Reed had managed to save enough food for a Christmas pot of soup, to the delight of her children, but by January they were facing starvation and considered eating the oxhides that served as their roof. Margret Reed, Virginia, Milt Elliott and the servant girl Eliza Williams attempted to walk out, reasoning that it would be better to try to bring food back than sit and watch the children starve. They were gone for four days in the snow before they had to turn back. Their cabin was now uninhabitable; the oxhide-roof served as their food supply, and the family moved in with the Breens. The servants went to live with other families. One day the Graveses came by to collect on the debt owed by the Reeds and took the oxhides which were all the family had to eat."

[briteleaf]

3. Keeping the myth alive

Great article! It's totally representative of an ugly part of human nature - selfishness. So ironic that at a time of such record unemployment, home foreclosures and homelessness that so many folks are complaining about the cost of social programs and the other guy who is too lazy to work. What planet are they living on? Selfishness was probably a valuable trait in the evolution of early human kind. We live in a different time though, in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. United is what makes it work. Divisive ideas and politics pull a modern people back to the stone age. Even in the stone age the food for the tribe was shared. The lucky hunter ate with the elders and the children. There was a sense of belonging and struggling together. United we stand. The same folks who rant and rave about "Obamacare" would change their song if they had a family member not getting any medical coverage because of a "previously existing condition" or because the family member had been laid off and had no coverage. I went to a new doctor this week. Surprise! I didn't have 5 pages of forms asking me if I had ever had health problems with ________. Back in the 80's recession, my full time job and my part time job both folded within 2 weeks of one another. It can happen to any of us. Maybe we've become so spoiled that we aren't capable of appreciating all of the good breaks we've had. America, where's your compassion?

[beltanefauve]

5. Great post!

And welcome to DU!:hi: