[spinestein]

[But the most important part of the president's recovery plan will be the most difficult: tackling the region's deeply entrenched poverty. This nation must finally admit that it is the mind-set of entitlement -- the welfare state -- that exacerbated Gulf Coast poverty. To that end, Mr. Bush offers a boot-strap approach.]


This paragraph contains a contradiction based on a common misperception. It's true that there are certain pockets in America where poverty is concentrated, and it's also true that the mind set of entitlement and dependency on welfare is largely to blame for its longevity and pervasiveness.

But it's the proponents of entitlement programs who ridicule the self-reliant and responsible attitude that allows people to remove themselves from that same poverty. They mock the idea by saying that we (rich, white Republicans) expect poor people to raise themselves up by their bootstraps, which they know is an impossibility.



Yes, I know it's nitpicking but some nits need to be picked. :^)

And words mean things.

[smoothsailing]

You know,I've never understood that expression either,at least not literally.

I like your nit picking,though,It gave me a chuckle.

One the dems do that bugs me is "the Republicans are cutting" so and so program,when a reduction in the rate of increase has occured.The press always runs with it anyway and too many people fall for it.

[BamaGirl]

Have you read Sowell's "Black Rednecks and White Liberals?" It demonstrates quite persuasively that the main reason some groups stay stuck in poverty isn't racism and social injustice but lack of a culture of responsibility. Really fascinating stuff! I bet you'd like it.