good stuff but I do take exception to his comment about his story would not be possible in any other country. While literally that's true as only an American can become president, it's not true in a worldly sense. Here in Canada it's equally possible to grow up to become Prime Minister, same in the UK, and any other democratic country. His comment implied that only in the US can someone born into disadvantaged circumstances can someone grow up to become the leader of their country. That's just plain wrong and an example of the type of arrogance that puts a great many non-Americans off to the US.
Doug: Maybe, and I agree about the arrogance ... and in fact this is probably just a way of making Americans feel warm and fuzzy as part of the usual internal conversation. But, just out of curiosity, which of the UK PM's or Canadian leaders come from disadvantaged backgrounds? (Maybe sticking with the 20th century to minimize problems in definition.)
Great find, thanks Greg.
good stuff but I do take exception to his comment about his story would not be possible in any other country. While literally that's true as only an American can become president, it's not true in a worldly sense. Here in Canada it's equally possible to grow up to become Prime Minister, same in the UK, and any other democratic country. His comment implied that only in the US can someone born into disadvantaged circumstances can someone grow up to become the leader of their country. That's just plain wrong and an example of the type of arrogance that puts a great many non-Americans off to the US.
Doug: Maybe, and I agree about the arrogance ... and in fact this is probably just a way of making Americans feel warm and fuzzy as part of the usual internal conversation. But, just out of curiosity, which of the UK PM's or Canadian leaders come from disadvantaged backgrounds? (Maybe sticking with the 20th century to minimize problems in definition.)