I think that Rank has some valid points about poverty and explains the breakdown of how he comes
to his conclusions of how poverty exists in the United States. His contention on Individualism is that
he believes that individuals have the ability to take care of theirselves and family without depending
on others tov help them using the frontier past as an example, and using" Poor Richards Almanac,"
God helps them to help themselves." his belief is that individuals are to be responsible for their own
well being including getting out of their own hardship situation.
The United States is considered the land of milk and honey and is a land where opportunities exist
everywhere in this country for those who strive for it and that virtue, talent and hardwork can
overshadow the constraints of disadvantage with enough individual effort, literally anything is
possible. The American dream is Alive and that this result can be veiwed as the result of individual
failings that can only be overcome be an individual effort.
The diversity in characteristic natures of our society has worked against seeing our connections with
others and their problems. A defining heterogenous nature of the United States is it's racial and
ethnic composition. Races that have these characteristics according to research have shown less
empathy and concern toward the plight of the disadvantaged.
Therefore, according to this vision you have no one to blame but yourself.
"Was a big wall there, that tried to stop me
Was a great big sign that said Private Property.
But on the other side, it didn't say nothin'.
That side was made for you and me.
One bright sunny morning, in the shadow of the steeple,
By the relief office, I saw my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there wondering , if
This land was made for you and me.
pp. 11, 12 and 13
pp. 5 This Land is Your Land
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