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Friday, July 5, 2013

Quote of the day--on Americans and poverty



"America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters."

--Kurt Vonnegut

I saw that one today and it naturally reminded me of the quote by John Steinbeck:




"Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires."

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Down through the ages, we Americans just haven't been that smart. At least, not as smart as we might, could or should have been.

Have a great weekend, y'all.


Links:  VONNEGUT•COM -- The Official Website of Kurt Vonnegut


Kurt Vonnegut - Wikipedia


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