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This is one of the most insipid pieces of writing I've read on this site in a long time. Despite apparently achieving his dreams and becoming a millionaire, he

This is one of the most insipid pieces of writing I've read on this site in a long time. Despite apparently achieving his dreams and becoming a millionaire, he sounds very bitter and unhappy because...a politician isn't paying him lip service and personally thanking him? Because people have hard lives and want to see a system that works for them rather than oppressing them under of the guise of "hard work pays off"? "But the wonderful thing about America is that if you are willing to make the right sacrifices, you can achieve whatever you want." Except this is patently false for a large, growing portion of people, those that get denied opportunities because of their race, their class, their names, their lack of funds. The whole rhetoric of "I gritted my teeth and pulled up my sleeves and became a millionaire and you can too!" is so hollow and facetious in its victim-blaming that it's insulting. So yes, Rob May, I do think you are part of the problem. Not because you are a millionaire or worked hard, but because you are myopic and unsympathetic to anyone who is not like you.

lcr94 11y ago
This doesn't make a lot of sense. It is not "patently false" that a large population will not achieve what they want through hard work because they lack a certain racial or socioeconomic edge. It is true that they will have to work harder, but it does not mean they are barred from trying. Why do you think that people are victims of their skin colour and heritage? Why does that make them a second class citizen?
- yolesaber 11y ago
  I'm not saying they are barred from trying, just that matters are stacked against them and that's why people are upset and want change. Rob May seems to think they just need to "work harder". >Why do you think that people are victims of their skin colour and heritage? Because studies have shown that people with "black" or "ethnic" names are often passed over in favor of more European/Christian names. Because an entire generation of minority fathers were systemically targeted by police as part of the misguided War on Drugs. Because nearly fifty percent of the wealth gained by blacks was wiped out in the housing crisis because they were the victims of predatory loan practices. >Why does that make them a second class citizen? In America, if you don't have money you are a second class citizen. If you are black, in many areas you are a second class citizen. I wish more than anything this was not the case but it is a reality that I've witnessed and that many have to fight through. Just saying "hey, sorry things are broken and you are at a huge disadvantage, guess you'll have to work harder!" is a pathetic redress to the economic realities of today.
jjn2009 11y ago
You are so clearly misrepresenting the views of the author, he never at any point wanted a personal thanks from Bernie. His grievance is with people such as yourself who make success and hard work into a crime.
- yolesaber 11y ago
  When did I ever insinuate that hard work and success are a crime? Nowhere. Did you even read my comment? My beef has nothing to do with his net worth, but with his actual values, his sneering insistence that hard work alone is enough and that somehow good ol' elbow grease alone is enough to combat a systemically rigged economy.
  - jjn2009 11y ago
    I said "such as" referencing the group of people who have similar thinking similar to yourself, not your specific comment.

lcr94 11y ago

This doesn't make a lot of sense. It is not "patently false" that a large population will not achieve what they want through hard work because they lack a certain racial or socioeconomic edge. It is true that they will have to work harder, but it does not mean they are barred from trying. Why do you think that people are victims of their skin colour and heritage? Why does that make them a second class citizen?

yolesaber 11y ago
I'm not saying they are barred from trying, just that matters are stacked against them and that's why people are upset and want change. Rob May seems to think they just need to "work harder". >Why do you think that people are victims of their skin colour and heritage? Because studies have shown that people with "black" or "ethnic" names are often passed over in favor of more European/Christian names. Because an entire generation of minority fathers were systemically targeted by police as part of the misguided War on Drugs. Because nearly fifty percent of the wealth gained by blacks was wiped out in the housing crisis because they were the victims of predatory loan practices. >Why does that make them a second class citizen? In America, if you don't have money you are a second class citizen. If you are black, in many areas you are a second class citizen. I wish more than anything this was not the case but it is a reality that I've witnessed and that many have to fight through. Just saying "hey, sorry things are broken and you are at a huge disadvantage, guess you'll have to work harder!" is a pathetic redress to the economic realities of today.

jjn2009 11y ago

You are so clearly misrepresenting the views of the author, he never at any point wanted a personal thanks from Bernie. His grievance is with people such as yourself who make success and hard work into a crime.

yolesaber 11y ago
When did I ever insinuate that hard work and success are a crime? Nowhere. Did you even read my comment? My beef has nothing to do with his net worth, but with his actual values, his sneering insistence that hard work alone is enough and that somehow good ol' elbow grease alone is enough to combat a systemically rigged economy.
- jjn2009 11y ago
  I said "such as" referencing the group of people who have similar thinking similar to yourself, not your specific comment.