Question US

Almost all American presidents grew up wealthy, do you think they can accurately represent the poor?

mood ring July 23, 2007 21:37:14

I was watching John Edwards on the news the other day discussing the problems of the improvised on his Poverty Tour across America and John Edwards is worth 62 million. Rudy Giuliani made 11 million in speeches last year. What do these men know about the average everyday American? And do you believe that they can make policies based on improving the lives of the poor and and middle class?
 Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people
No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.
Undecided
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  • +7 raves Fef July 23, 2007 21:45:00
    Fef

    Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people

    The president doesn't need to experience all aspects of life in America to fairly lead as president. For one thing, nobody can experience all lifestyles in America. Also, the president doesn't represent us as does the congress/senate. The president leads the country as commander in chief, foreign relations/treaties, nominates judges, and does other executive branch duties.

    We should vote for a president who will apply the laws in the Constitution and execute the duties fairly for all Americans.
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  • mk, Smartass Oracle January 22, 2008 20:47:06
    mk, Smartass Oracle

    Undecided

    Actually Clinton, Nixon, Lincoln and I'm sure there were more, did no grow up rich. In Bush's case, he has no clue what the common man or woman goes through.
  • True~Male December 24, 2007 16:16:22
    True~Male

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    Most American politicians are completey out of touch with the average american. They can never represent us fairly.
  • +1 raves
    <--That guy December 03, 2007 20:16:03
    <--That guy

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    I think this is how is usually is, but there are a few exceptions (FDR).
  • +1 raves
    True~Male <--That... December 24, 2007 16:19:00
    True~Male
    FDR was for the common man/woman -- and possibly Truman as well --but none since have really been able to grasp what the President is suppose to be or do .
  • The Hand of John September 14, 2007 13:43:20
    The Hand of John

    Undecided

    it really does depend on the person. FDR was extremely good with issues concerning the poor and his family was well off then again I've watched a politician that started from nothing and was a total jerk to the poor. I don't think it matters.
  • +1 raves
    Patrick July 30, 2007 15:57:27
    Patrick

    Undecided

    The only though that comes to my mind right now is it takes money to make money...................
  • +2 raves
    Marianne July 25, 2007 08:25:05
    Marianne

    Undecided

    I'm guessing anyone can put themselves in other people's shoes if they really want to; but yes it's easier to relate to similar people and not be to involved with different ones. That being said - it depends on the president really.
  • +1 raves
    shirlstermcg July 24, 2007 04:07:22
    shirlstermcg

    Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people

    Most American Presidents ( these days) have been exposed to more ways of life and have vast experience with programs that help the poor and indigent. You cant really be immersed in a problem and be objective.
  • +1 raves
    + July 24, 2007 03:09:08
    +

    Undecided

    They didn't all grow up wealthy. But if they achieve wealth, they can still represent the poor if they have a good memory and compassion.
    I think this is one reason President Clinton appealed to so many people. He came from a single-parent home of modest means, and is living proof of the American dream. (I know, I know, some of you didn't like him, he needed a smack at times, but still)

    So, anybody besides me still waiting for a President who will look out for the forgotten MIDDLE CLASS???
  • +1 raves
    highlatte + July 25, 2007 14:33:26
    highlatte
    Truth, let's not hold our breath. We deserve to live as long as we can. :)
  • +1 raves
    + highlatte July 26, 2007 01:24:52
    +
    Unless they tax us to death.
  • True~Male + December 24, 2007 16:20:19
    True~Male
    I hear ya !!
  • jackrorabbit July 24, 2007 02:35:37
    jackrorabbit

    Undecided

    I would really say that it depends on the man. As for Edwards, he grew
    up fairly poor, and made his money as a slick atty. I am sure he
    remembers his roots. I don't know Rudy's story so I can't say, but
    running NYC you definately have a lot of slums to deal with, so perhaps
    he does understand it since he had to deal with it on a daily basis.
  • +3 raves
    spider_brad July 24, 2007 00:55:05
    spider_brad

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    Politicians have had more days off this year than I've had in the past five, and I'm not even poor. They're not concerned with the poor or even the middle class for that matter. They'll pay us lip service on the campaign trail to make the wealthy feel just a little less guilty about how the average Joe is getting screwed. But once they're in office, their only concern is suckling at teat of the lobbyists and special interest groups.
  • jackror... spider_... July 24, 2007 02:36:14
    jackrorabbit
    Couldn't agree more.
  • highlatte spider_... July 25, 2007 14:34:49
    highlatte
    We agree on something! :)
  • +1 raves
    spider_... highlatte July 25, 2007 16:27:05
    spider_brad
    It happens sometimes.
  • Allison... spider_... July 25, 2007 16:53:06
    AllisonEsquire
    He He...you said Teat.

    "I have nipple too, can you milk me, Focker?"
  • Regulus [99 - INSHALLAH] July 24, 2007 00:15:10
    Regulus [99 - INSHALLAH]

    Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people

    To an extent.
  • Mamma Roo July 23, 2007 23:15:43
    Mamma Roo

    Undecided

    My first inclination was to say no - but then I started thinking about all of us. I know that I can put myself in other people's shoes (to some extent anyway) if I really stop and listen to them. I am sure that some rich people are capable of it as well. Whether any of the current candidates can, is not something that I know.
  • #1Misty July 23, 2007 22:35:05
    #1Misty

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    I too was watching John Edwards and I got the impression he did not want to be there, like this was something his camp set up, but it did not work out, I say. I feel that Mr. Edwards should pack it in, or go for being Hilarys' vice president.
  • +1 raves
    highlatte July 23, 2007 22:27:44
    highlatte

    Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people

    btw...........most American presidents were not born into wealth or grew up with wealth.
  • jackror... highlatte July 24, 2007 02:38:29
    jackrorabbit
    Correction, most old presidents are that way. Carter was fairly well
    off peanut farm owner, Reagan was a retire movie star, Bush was in good
    financial position, Clinton was in excellent financial position, and so
    is Bush Jr.
  • +1 raves
    highlatte jackror... July 24, 2007 15:22:09
    highlatte
    She said "grew up" wealthy. Reagan, Carter, Clinton, Nixon, Johnson, Eisenhower, Hoover, Truman, did not come from "monied' backgrounds.

    Both Roosevelts, Kennedy and Bush are the only modern presidents to grow up in a "wealthy" family. Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, and Ford came from middle to upper-middle class beginnings.

  • jackror... highlatte July 25, 2007 13:49:01
    jackrorabbit
    Ah, thanks for the info.
  • highlatte jackror... July 25, 2007 14:37:40
    highlatte
    Didn't mean to be smart aleck. I'm lousy in math, computers, most sciences, but proud of my education in American and Russian history. :)
  • +1 raves
    jackror... highlatte July 25, 2007 14:51:51
    jackrorabbit
    No, I appreciate it. I like to know when I am wrong so I can learn. I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.
  • +2 raves
    annamariesiobhan July 23, 2007 22:26:59
    annamariesiobhan

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    Rudy Giuliani is a crook. He makes money off of making speeches on 9-11 and the families that were affected by it. I just threw up thinking about it.

    Does anyone know how to clean throw up out of a keyboard??
  • #1Misty annamar... July 23, 2007 22:36:16
    #1Misty
    Yuck
  • Art annamar... July 23, 2007 22:38:37
    Art
    ouch
  • +1 raves
    spider_... annamar... July 24, 2007 00:55:47
    spider_brad
    Do you have a straw?
  • annamar... spider_... July 24, 2007 01:26:59
    annamariesiobhan
    I was thinking more along the lines of my vacuum attachment.
  • jackror... spider_... July 24, 2007 02:39:17
    jackrorabbit
    I hope you mean to blow it off, and not the reverse.
  • +1 raves
    spider_... jackror... July 24, 2007 02:56:56
    spider_brad
    I meant the reverse. But I thought she was kidding.
  • jackror... spider_... July 24, 2007 03:05:58
    jackrorabbit
    I just wanted to add to the laughs.
  • Moonbeam-Dancer July 23, 2007 22:07:28
    Moonbeam-Dancer

    No. Their policies are limited to their own experinces and what will benefit those like them.

    We should choose a president that respects nature and the magic and beauty that it contains.
  • becky July 23, 2007 22:05:57
    becky

    Undecided

    you'd like ti think so, but with the way the current tax system is in place it's hard to tell. I'd like to think the president keeps the public in mind when making decisions or else all hope in the government would be lost.
  • jackror... becky July 24, 2007 02:40:31
    jackrorabbit
    Gee, with an approval rating of 28% for Bush and 14% for congress, do you think that there really is any hope left?
  • +7 raves
    Fef July 23, 2007 21:45:00
    Fef

    Yes. They are able to put themselves in the shoes of the people

    The president doesn't need to experience all aspects of life in America to fairly lead as president. For one thing, nobody can experience all lifestyles in America. Also, the president doesn't represent us as does the congress/senate. The president leads the country as commander in chief, foreign relations/treaties, nominates judges, and does other executive branch duties.

    We should vote for a president who will apply the laws in the Constitution and execute the duties fairly for all Americans.
  • +1 raves
    joe July 23, 2007 21:39:27
    joe

    Undecided

    What about Lincoln and Reagan?
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