McCain on Larry King

[JonoBN41]

Did you look it up? It's right there on wikipedia.

Historian and writer James Truslow Adams coined the phrase "American Dream" in his 1931 book Epic of America:

"The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

It also says: "Although the phrase's meaning has evolved over the course of American history, for some people, it is the opportunity to achieve greater material prosperity than was possible in their countries of origin. For others it is the opportunity for their children to grow up and receive an education and its consequent career opportunities. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the restrictions of class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic group."

McCain's father was an admiral and his uncle a brigadier general, and he owns - what's the latest count, seven houses, 11 houses? He's not sure. On the other hand, Obama pulled himself up by the bootstraps, went to Harvard, and is now a presidential candidate.

Seems to me Obama is actually living and realizing the American Dream, while McCain doesn't even understand what it is. Why should he? He never had to pursue it.

So I appreciate the transcript. I probably would have missed it otherwise.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by JonoBN41

Did you look it up? It's right there on wikipedia.

Historian and writer James Truslow Adams coined the phrase "American Dream" in his 1931 book Epic of America:

"The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

It also says: "Although the phrase's meaning has evolved over the course of American history, for some people, it is the opportunity to achieve greater material prosperity than was possible in their countries of origin. For others it is the opportunity for their children to grow up and receive an education and its consequent career opportunities. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the restrictions of class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic group."

McCain's father was an admiral and his uncle a brigadier general, and he owns - what's the latest count, seven houses, 11 houses? He's not sure. On the other hand, Obama pulled himself up by the bootstraps, went to Harvard, and is now a presidential candidate.

Seems to me Obama is actually living and realizing the American Dream, while McCain doesn't even understand what it is. Why should he? He never had to pursue it.

So I appreciate the transcript. I probably would have missed it otherwise.

I did look it up, but I also have a sense of what it is, and home ownership IS often considered a part of it, whether wikipedia mentions it or not.

Try googling American Dream Homeownship and see what you get.

What's your point about Obama? McCain shouldn't be permitted to mention the American Dream?

[JonoBN41]

McCain should not be permitted to define the American Dream.

And why do you quote everything? It just wastes space.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by JonoBN41

McCain should not be permitted to define the American Dream.

And why do you quote everything? It just wastes space.

I don't think he did. I think you attempted to do it for him.

Thanks for the tip about quoting.

[KSigkid]

@ Jono

I wouldn't necessarily say that Obama "pulled himself up by his bootstraps." He went to an elite private high school, and, while his family life wasn't perfect, he was raised by highly-intelligent middle to upper-middle class parents and grandparents. He deserves credit for making the most of his opportunities, but he's not some rags-to-riches story.

Additionally, any time I've heard about the "American Dream," one of the components that is often mentioned is owning a home. Now, I don't have any specific cites for this, but I would imagine it evolved from an earlier component of the dream, being owning one's own piece of land.

McCain wasn't defining the "American Dream," he was talking about his own impression of what it is.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

@ Jono

I wouldn't necessarily say that Obama "pulled himself up by his bootstraps." He went to an elite private high school, and, while his family life wasn't perfect, he was raised by highly-intelligent middle to upper-middle class parents and grandparents. He deserves credit for making the most of his opportunities, but he's not some rags-to-riches story.

Additionally, any time I've heard about the "American Dream," one of the components that is often mentioned is owning a home. Now, I don't have any specific cites for this, but I would imagine it evolved from an earlier component of the dream, being owning one's own piece of land.

McCain wasn't defining the "American Dream," he was talking about his own impression of what it is.

The American Dream is a tragic falsehood and ungodly idol. With that said, homeownership is one of the most accessible ways to begin building wealth. It is part of the American Dream.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I think owning your own home is considered by many a component of the American Dream.

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Additionally, any time I've heard about the "American Dream," one of the components that is often mentioned is owning a home. Now, I don't have any specific cites for this, but I would imagine it evolved from an earlier component of the dream, being owning one's own piece of land.

I would say that every description of the American Dream I have ever heard includes owning your own home as the sine qua non component.

[ajuhdg]

Originally Posted by JonoBN41

Seems to me Obama is actually living and realizing the American Dream, while McCain doesn't even understand what it is. Why should he? He never had to pursue it.

I'm sorry, did I read that right? You might not think that he 'pursued' it, but he sure as hell has defended it. Everyone's view of the 'american dream' is different. I bet everyone on here has a differnt definition of what the American Dream is. Don't be so naive to think that just because someone married money he is less American.

As far as BO, he is no product of his own making. He has been molded and craddled by some powerful forces. What exactly has he done to BETTER this country?