A new poll from Gallup suggests that President Obama’s class warfare argument and the Occupy Wall Street movement are failing to resonate with Americans — and might actually be backfiring. The new survey reveals that Americans today are less likely to think of the country as divided into “haves” and “have nots” as compared to when Obama ran for office in 2008. That campaign featured the Obama’s “spread the wealth around” rhetoric and followed former Democrat vice presidential candidate John Edwards’ talk of “two Americas.” Americans were equally divided when …
He or she is at it again. An electronic circular, originating elsewhere at Heritage and signed only “A Conservative,” marks Thanksgiving by recalling the Pilgrims’ fleeting flirtation with socialism 387 years ago — whilst establishing Plymouth Colony under William Bradford’s leadership. (“A Conservative” last week e-circulated thoughts on how the Electoral College benefits an ungrateful electorate.) Herewith the contents of the latest e-circular, headlined “Giving Thanks for Capitalism”: When we bow our heads this week in thanks for our many blessings, we should recall the Pilgrims’ early lesson in the power of free markets. …
We’ve heard a lot lately about “redistribution of wealth.” What would the American Founders think? Property rights provide the foundation of prosperity. As Americans, we’re accustomed to a revolutionary guarantee that we may labor, earn wages and acquire property — and rest assured that what we earn and acquire will be secure. It’s a simple promise that survives despite the income tax system: Americans get to keep what we earn. The right to enjoy the rewards of your labor is a powerful incentive to work hard and pursue opportunity — …
