Friday, November 2, 2012

Show Me The Money!!!

The average income of a US Citizen is estimated to be about $50,000 a year. Barack Obama, our current President and candidate for the Democrat Party, had an average income of around $1.6 million, a total of 32 times the average citizen and 4th among the richest presidential candidates. Mitt Romney, the candidate for the Republican Party, had an income estimating to be a little more than $26 million in 2010. That's more than 400 times the income of an average citizen. He is ranked number one among the richest presidential candidates. Looking at those numbers alone, does it seem plausible that the the average Joe, or even Jane, can actually have a chance at running for the Presidency? 

HIGHLY UNLIKELY! 

As stated in one of my previous critiques, the average Presidency Campaign takes up to $1.25 billion. That's $1.25 billion every 4 years! I've never even managed to see a total of $1000 in my bank account before it's taken right back, divided among the many bills that I have. I live from paycheck to paycheck, a lifestyle I'm sure many US Citizens have experienced or are still experiencing at this moment. If I am considered to be the "average Jane," how is it possible that I can accrue $1.25 billion only to spend at a chance to become the President? It's not even a sure bet! It's not... I could do all the canvassing I wanted, beg for donations and gather a number of supporters, but I think I would still end up short about oh... $1.24 billion?! 

I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, my average Joe and Jane aspiring to be the next president, but I have to break the bad news to you... It's just not possible! From the way I see it, you could be the absolutely best person for the job, could even make the changes that the United States desperately needs, but the opportunity will never be yours due to the fact that you just don't have enough money

If you are outraged as much as me at this particular situation, here are some fun facts and reading material: 
                 
Top Earning Presidential Candidates
As Income Inequality Widens, Rich Presidential Candidates Dominate
Yes, The Rich are Different
Household Income for States: 2010 and 2011






2 comments:

  1. After reading a colleagues work I discovered that I could not become the next president. I am a below middle class, black, woman and regretfully have done some stuff I’m not proud of. I’m pretty sure if I had $1.25 billion I could pay off some debt, clear my name, and run a presidential campaign. My colleague did a great job with having factual evidence and still maintaining a comic tone. She gives personal experience which shows character and style. Her ability to relate to the average “Jane” causes one to forget about social status and more about the cause. The statistics of the average US income being $50,000 is a slap in the average Joe’s face. If that was so called true then there shouldn’t be a 47% that Romney pointed out. I can at least say that I have had more than $1000 in my bank account, but that was including the school loans. That doesn’t count for anything seeing how I eventually have to pay that back. Majority of the Americans I know live from paycheck to paycheck; just hoping they can make it. If the government would give real hope to its citizens then in return I’m sure we would give back to it. The rhetorical question that is asked in her blog is a great writing tool for expressive writing. I enjoyed her blog and all the content that she had in it. It was influencing and persuasive all in one.

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  2. I see your point when you say that it is highly unlikely that an "average joe" stands a small chance at taking a seat in office if they cant even put forth the revenue to successfully run a campaign. Throughout our nations history though there have been presidents elected who have been born into poverty, and have stayed in the middle class throughout the duration of their lifetime, so it is not impossible. This includes those presidents who were in office during the latter years of the 19th century. Being elected without some financial pull though is much harder to go about indeed. In fact,since Hoover was elected, all the presidents have been millionaires, with the exception of Harry Truman. It only makes sense though, i mean who wants some guy whose struggling to make his own ends meet holding the title of commander in chief. The supreme amount of money that is wasted through campaigning for president is quite absurd, but it seems almost necessary to have your message heard by all. You certainly cannot simply buy your qualifications for being president though.

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