Posted on 04/16/2011 11:51:45 PM PDT by Walter Scott Hudson
There is a struggle between the classes, we are told. The haves are dominating the have-nots. If only the oppressive wealthy would let up and allow the poor to rise, there would be social justice and equality.
It has been an effective narrative. But it has ignored the tremendous social pressure placed upon "have-nots" by members of their own community.
Consider Charles Payne. You might recognize him from his regular guest appearances on the Fox Business Network. Payne is the CEO and Chief Analyst of Wall Street Strategies, sought after for his market opinions. But he didn't start there.
In his keynote address at David Horowitz's recent West Coast Retreat, he spoke of his rise from rags to riches, and the upward mobility available in America. The oldest of three brothers, Payne spent his early years as an army brat at Fort Lee in Virgina. He recalls being content with simple pleasures. His parents' relationship was strained, however. Eventually, his mother moved the boys to Harlem where Payne caught his first glimpse of true poverty. Payne describes a loss of innocence in an environment where "wineos, junkies, and hobos" were common decor.
Necessity forced him to begin working at the age of 13. It was then that he learned the value of money. It occurred to him that earning more would improve his standard of living. To his young mind, that meant working on Wall Street. So he sought an education in finance, by stealing copies of the Wall Street Journal.
It was easy, because no one thought the black kid over looking by the Journal was going to steal it.Remarkable as this aspiration was, it did not come without consequence...
(Excerpt) Read more at newsrealblog.com ...
I’ve seen this among some of my own caucasian relatives. The culture of the poor in America is a culture of evil.
I like listening to Payne. But I heard him say that he voted for Obama.
Most, who voted for Obama, had no idea as to the evil they were inviting into America.
That is forgivable.
It’s like a culture of crabs. Instead of cheering somebody’s success, they try to pull that person back into the abyss.
I like Bill Cosby’s indictment of the black entitlement culture. Blacks in the inner city; everywhere actually, that try to educate themselves, speak with proper diction and assume personal responsibility are lambasted by other blacks for “acting white”. Cosby asks , “What does that say about your culture, when striving for success and being responsible are looked upon unfavorably?” That question cuts across all races and creeds; speaking directly towards what is wrong with our country.
Other than the Autumn Jackson extortion attempt in 97 (unsuccessful, she was found guilty and Cosby never accepted paternity of her duaghter), I know of no claims of Cosby having children except with his wife.
Please identify his “sveral” illegitmate children.
Cosby is a strong man, to deal with the senseless death f his only son and take on the ingrained sloth and immorality of black street culture despite heavy fire against him by
name his “several” illegitimate children and mistresses you claim he has
I can’t
Why would the rich want to keep the poor down? Aren’t the rich supporting the poor?
That would be like a parent not letting his grown children get jobs so he could still support them.
For many, the idea of one of their own rising out of the squallor is an indictment of the system that doles out scraps at the trough. Seeing someone overcome starting out in poverty means that there might be something better than just toddling down to the government and putting their hand out.
I have family members who have been on assistance at one point or another -- but none who chose it as a way of life for themselves and their children. It was the social pressure to get OFF the government dime that helped move them forward, instead of pressure to conform to the idea that somehow the government 'owed' it to them to pay their rent and grocery bills.
As far as Cosby goes -- the impalatability of his message to a 'gimme' society ensures there will be someone trying to tear him down. But that doesn't change the truth of the message. Too few of minority groups break free, then turn around to offer a helping hand to their own.
Guess that's the government's job.
It's not the rich who are keeping the poor down.
The article points out that it is other poor who are offended by one of their own proving that one needn't stay poor, other than by choice.
The other large obstacle to the achievement of the poor is the government.
If a people stop being poor, then their votes become more difficult to purchase with some food stamps and trinkets. They become more discerning in their politics, rather than give their support based on who promises the best handouts, and renigs the least on that promise.
The way they seemed to think he would gas up their cars, pay their rent, and make everything just wonderful is a sign of insanity, or a willingness to kill the teat that feeds them by overindulging. Either way, it is an unforgivable condition when those too stupid to vote can screw the pooch like this. We need to go to a system where those on the government dole cannot vote and those who think the leeches ( a small percentage are truly helpless - most are leeches) should be able to vote also need to be put in the "can't vote" column.
Here’s an indictment of ghetto culture from someone without Cosby’s baggage.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7889414/thug_spirituality_must_give_way_to.html?cat=2
I agree - I was just stating the obvious to point out the idiocy of class warfare.
What's interesting to me is that my liberal acquaintances (and a couple of them are downright socialists) are very responsible and raise their children to be self-reliant, too. The same social pressures work on them.
At the same time, though, they support all the big-government, nanny-state programs to subsidise the poor and are disgusted with me for not supporting them. Why, it's as if they think the poor aren't capable.
They won't admit it. It's racism and other societal "roadblocks" that have caused poverty. Not the absence of a work ethic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.