Part 3 of Julian Borger's series on Bush America
George Bush's America, the wealthiest nation in history, faces a
growing poverty crisis. In the first of a three-part series Julian
Borger takes the pulse of the US with elections just a year awayWhy America's plutocrats gobble up $1,500 hot dogs
In the final part of a series, Julian Borger examines the inequality of the Bush era
Wednesday November 5, 2003
The Guardian
~snip~
These politically charged dinners are normally five-course affairs eaten off white linen, but the folksiness of the Bush White House has by now pervaded the Republican party. The menu on this night was hot dogs and peanuts, served from food carts and eaten standing up.
"I think it's great because I thinks folks would rather be eating hot dogs with President Bush than sipping wine and nibbling cheese with Hillary Clinton," declared
George Allen, a Virginia senator.
The president, who marched in to an ecstatic welcome, offered rhetoric to match the humble fare. After vowing to persevere in the battle against terrorism, he turned to his domestic ambitions, "to work for a society of prosperity and compassion so that every single citizen has a chance to work and succeed and realise the great promise of this country".
~snip~
The memo sent out to would-be demonstrators stressed that "If people want to participate - AND WE DO NEED BODIES - they must be DRESSED DOWN, appear to be REAL WORKER types etc."
In the end, the televised rally involved the president's supporters dressed as the working poor, cheering for more money to go to the rich. It is hard to think of a more fitting tableau for Bush's America.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1077949,00.htmlPart 1: Long queue at drive-in soup kitchen
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1076574,00.htmlPart 2: Land where calling an ambulance is first step to bankruptcy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1077230,00.html