The fundamental myth of American culture, is that no matter how poor or humble your birth, you can through grit, spunk and hard work become wealthy and prosperous.
On the face of it, and from the perspective of a class divided Europe, that seems incredibly noble and empowering. The idea that there is that much social mobility, that anyone can forge their own destiny is a powerful part of the American psyche. When it happens, it is an incredible thing. Something Americans can feel proud of.
However, there is a dark side to this myth. Which is this... if anyone can win through hard work and effort, anyone who doesn't win, therefore deserves to be poor.
At the core of all the anti-health care reforms is the single concept "why should I pay for the healthcare of those losers."
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