Ideological outlook matters: consider the case of John Edwards. His storyline is that growing up as the son of a mill worker profoundly affected his worldview and now that he is a rich, powerful trial lawyer/Senator that his public policy response to ills of those similarly situated to himself as a child is to expand the social welfare state. It occurred to me that an alternative response could have been to say: I came from humble beginnings, and look at me: “hard work pays off! You, too, if you work hard can be like me.” Instead, he talks about how downtrodden people are, and how they need the government’s help.
There are similar stories in my family, but for whatever reason, I took the “hey, look, hard work pays off” route, and not the “the government need to help me” route.
And interestingly, despite being a scion of the South, his philosophical choice vis-à-vis the above strikes me as rather un-Southern.
Why don't examples inspire the best of the American Dream, which is that anyone can make it, but instead inspire the idea that we need more government?
In short, it struck me this morning that the exact same life story could result in radically different philosophical conclusions. It further strikes me that the conservative point of view is more respectful of fellow citizens, as it assumes that “yes, you too can be successful” while the liberal perspective is rather condescending: “you need my help.”
UPDATE: This post is part of today's BELTWAY TRAFFIC JAM.
Yes, Edwards is very much unsouthern. I think that too REALLY plays to his advantage (I can say that being from SC).
I don't think he's condescending, I think he see's eye to eye with the downtrodden, while a conservative saying the same thing is usually seen as unbelievable.
No doubt, Edwards is using a symbolic method in his campaign. But it's one most people feel is honest.
I will never give that much credit to Kerry.
Posted by: Richard Tilley at January 20, 2024 02:53 PMThere is also a large percentage of southerners, however, who believe in the idea that the path out of downtroddenness is via personal endeavor.
However, I agree there is a segment of the populaiton that would react as you state.
Posted by: Steven at January 20, 2024 03:03 PMIronically, the hard work paid off much more handsomely, financially speaking, for Edwards.
Posted by: James Joyner at January 20, 2024 03:14 PMUnfortunately, if you start from humble beginings, achieve success from your own efforts and not advocate government programs to help the poor as your life lesson, you have no reason to run for president. Life lessons which indicate most of us can achieve success from our own efforts are lost on the left. Many of the programs they propose to "help" this population merely place shackles on these very people.
Posted by: Gary B at January 20, 2024 10:52 PM