Political Identity & Political Culture

A Quote from Bourne…

“Let us not speak, of inferior races, but of inferior civilizations. We are all to educate and be educated. These peoples in America are in a common enterprise. It is not what we are now that concerns us, but what this plastic next generation might become in the light of a new cosmopolitan   ideal.”

I believe Bourne was relating from this quote on the purpose of acknowledging the fact that America’s structure has been built and continues to grow by means of other cultures and races contribution to society. He’s simply trying to challenge the self-image of America as being a so-called superior civilization whose brand states that it’s “for the people, by the people.” Although in real time other races and cultures are subjectively treated as second class citizens. Bourne sheds light on how education and the willingness to be informed about contributions and expressions of different cultures can create a “super race” that can potentially become a superior society.

From Bourne’s quote, it detailed a glimpse of light which is crucial to break through America’s dark cloud of prejudice that continues to plague it. As a comedian once said, “America is like an uncle who pays for your college tuition but violates you.” Meaning, oftentimes things are not really what they are perceived to be; there’s often a hidden agenda. In this case I would acquaint it to an inferiority complex America has with culture and the sense of identity which follows it. Bourne summed it up as, “Let us not speak of inferior races, but of inferior civilizations.”  I believe prejudice continues to be a hindrance to a society which can potentially become a global leader on many different levels.

Despite Negativity, Americans Mixed on Ideal Role of Gov’t

“Additionally, some of Americans’ negative views of the government are related to their perceptions of the efficiency and effectiveness of what the government is doing. They on average believe that 51 cents of every tax dollar is wasted, which may explain some of the negative views and concerns about too much power. Americans also give the federal government the lowest positive rating of any of 25 business and industry sector rated in August, further suggesting that the people don’t think government works well.”

From the reading, I comprehend the author is relating the distrust many Americans experience when the odds are not in their favor.  His inference that Americans believe most tax dollars are being wasted from the decisions the government makes are reflected in their approval ratings. A sense of belief in this system becomes unfavorable when tax payers hard earned dollars don’t add up and their views are shifted to the fact that this system does not work for the people.

The negative emotions which stem from the choices that the government has made concerning the distribution of tax dollars leaves many feeling jaded. Considering a foremost amount of tax dollars are being spent on defense and international security assistance; funding towards education and vocational training are labeled as “everything else”.  Tax paying Americans are left holding the short end of the stick, especially when the memorable coined phrases which initially won our vote concludes to become a voided promise.