Do you believe America is still the Shining City on a Hill, the land of Opportunity?

Question

I know poverty VERY well my friend. I lived in the back seat of a 1970 Nova for 5 years. I never knew a Christmas morning with a family, I have been on my own since I was 15 years old. I took showers at the camp grounds of the Hamilton County Park campgrounds..and felt very lucky to pay the 25 cents it cost for one. I owned one pair of shoes, I remember reading my H.S. diploma in a street light my myself. No government checks, no food stamps...nothing. I worked in a gas station making $2.10 per hour pumping gas 68 hours per week and put myself through school...I know poverty!

TODAY, I own my own business with 12 full time employees, I own a beauitful home with 4 bdms & 4 baths on 10 acres. I have put my own children through school, 1 at Ohio State the other University of Cincinnati...I GAVE where I wasn't given. I have been married to the same wonderful woman for 28 years. We take vacations all over the world, Maui, Mexico, Ireland, Spain...any time I we want. I can drive any car I want, I have clothes, food enough to feed me.

I have never protested, I have never demanded things be given to me, I have never recieved 1 cent in government aide, I have PAID 100's of thousand in taxes.

The thought never occured to me that someone should have helped me, I never allowed my minority status to rule me...or my funny accent that makes people laugh....I was too busy, living, laughing, working and Loving!

my motto: GIVE where I was not GIVEN!

peace!!

Answer 1

The opportunity we have now is to fix the mess that has been made by 8 years of Republican control. We can be that Shining City (that's a quote from Reagan, by the way) again. In our personal actions and in our voting power this country can be better than it ever has before. Remember John Kennedy's words. " Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"

It's time for "change we can believe in"

Obama 08

Answer 2

its still the BEST in the world at least today!!

Answer 3

I liked your story, really great for you that you've made it, most people would never have. Regarding your question, I don't think so but it could be much worse, same for Western European countries (I'm a European myself).

Answer 4

Congratulations! It's nice that you didn't feel entitled and still made it.