"My grandmother and her family fled religious persecution to come here at the turn of the last century. Like so many of her generation in Eastern Europe, my grandmother faced a future where no matter how hard she worked, no matter how much she studied or learned, no matter how smart she was, there were limits. Just because of who she was, who her parents were, and where she was born, there was only so far she could go, only so much she could do. But our country isn’t like that."
I admire your grandmother's tenacity, but the same sort of religious persecution is occurring here in the United States. Many Americans have been deceived into thinking that make all Muslims are proponents of Sharia Law, that all homosexuals are perverted heathens and that all non-Christians are anti-American degenerates. And who is leading these charges? Those from your own team. How do you explain that, Sir?
"We need to be sure that the opportunity my grandmother realized is here for all of us in deciding as a country who we’re going to be. It really is about that fair shot – no matter who you are or where you’re from, all of us should have access to the opportunity to earn your own success. The basis upon which America was founded and the basis upon which America thrives is providing people with the equality of opportunity – not equality of outcome."
Where, Sir, is the equality in continually bailing out Wall Street and reducing taxes on the most wealthy, while simultaneously cutting more and more benefits to the poor, disabled and elderly?
"We know that we all don’t begin life’s race from the same starting point. I was fortunate enough to be born into a stable family that provided me with the tools that I needed to get ahead. Not everyone is so lucky. Some are born into extremely difficult situations, facing severe obstacles. The fact is many in America are coping with broken families, dealing with hunger and homelessness, confronted daily by violent crime, or burdened by rampant drug use. Recently I was asked, 'What does your party say to that 9-year-old, inner city kid scared to death, growing up in a life of poverty? What can you do for that little girl?'"
Perhaps you could invest more money toward providing a "hand up" for those facing these "severe obstacles," i.e., investing in education, investing in jobs training and investing in infrastructure jobs? This seems like a lot wiser plan than reducing corporate taxes and persecuting rape victims who desire an abortion.
"As students at Wharton, you will be much better positioned than most to land a job of your choice after graduation. But for the majority of young people, small businesses will give them their start. These employers are the restaurant owners, health care providers, or small high tech start-ups."
According to a study conducted by the Office of Tax Analysis at the U.S. Treasury in 2011, only 3.3 percent of all small business owners in 2007 had adjusted gross incomes of more than $1 million. Yet, you cite these small business owners as reasons for why millionaires should not be taxed at higher rates.
"Think about it, in America, starting a business isn’t something that’s only possible, it’s something that’s expected. However, today that is now being questioned. People have become afraid to take a risk. Many have lost their optimism about the future. They are frustrated and the core of this frustration stems from a belief that the same opportunities afforded to previous generations no longer exist today."
And this frustration stems from your party's promotion of policies that help GE and Exxon instead of the millions of small-business owners who need a break from the recession.
"There are politicians and others who want to demonize people that have earned success in certain sectors of our society. They claim that these people have now made enough, and haven’t paid their fair share. But, pitting Americans against one another tends to deflate the aspirational spirit of our people and fade the American dream."
We are not purposefully demonizing them. But we are wondering why, after 10 years of Bush Era tax cuts, unemployment continues to rise. And why the Tea Party Nation is encouraging its members to stop hiring more workers. Meanwhile, you cite these arguments and then claim that we are perpetuating "Class Warfare." Look in the mirror. Which side is really practicing it?
"From how we help those who are unemployed, to ways to encourage entrepreneurs and startups, to encouraging the best and brightest to stay here in America – there are many solutions that will help people succeed and grow the economy. As Americans, we care about everyone. We should want everyone to be successful. We want everyone to see the path forward."
It would help if you would stop defending companies that continually outsource jobs to other countries just so that they can enhance their bottom line. You know, just saying that you care about everybody does not mean that you really do. Actions count more than words, and your actions have made it abundantly clear that you and your peers do not give a damn about the American people. Thankfully, Obama does.
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