As for the “better brain” dialog. Perseverance, determination, and motivation are more valuable than genius, talent, and skill. It is true that you did nothing to get your genius, but struggle gives you the more valuable gifts anyway. The world is full of underachieving geniuses and educated derelicts. I am no genius, but I if you are twice as smart and I work 10 times as hard, I may just end up ahead.[/quote]
Yeah you’re a real hero, all right.
I consider it unlikely that you could do the same thing today, without government assistance.
FYI, college aid is government assistance.
The cheap food we have in the US is priced based on government assistance to food producers (thats why California exports Valencia oranges to Valencia Spain).
The cheap gas we have in the US is considered by most of the world’s economists to be effectively subsidized since the cost of vehicles to roads and infrastructure is largely hidden from drivers.
At a more broad and general level, the stable market that is the heart of American prosperity is facilitated by the government.
All of these programs are paid for with taxes. Your taxes.
I dare you to show me how a poor kid today could have the fairy-tale life you describe without government assistance.
I am not saying its impossible but again, I dare you to show me an example that takes place in the last 10 to 20 years.
