Chuch Schumer just now: "We don't even have a class system in this country"

[Political Heretic]

That's the biggest pile of shit I've ever heard in my life. No wonder our political system is so fucked up.

[Jennicut]

1. Well Chuck is a jerk. But it was nice to see Franken just a few minutes ago, wasn't it?

[Political Heretic]

2. Yes, it was!

I thought he statement was very nice as well.

[Jennicut]

6. He is a breath of fresh air and it made me smile. That happens rarely when I watch politicians

on tv. :)

[flor de jasmim]

3. The fact that her story is so inspirational puts the lie to that statement!

[Political Heretic]

5. Yeah, great point. Well said.

[eleny]

7. Amen!

[eleny]

4. Speaking more about Sotomayor, he started choking up with tears

And as he spoke more, her mother carefully wiped tears away from her cheeks as she nodded in agreement. Not about your point but about Sotomayor and her history and abilities and what her nomination means to Americans.

[cali]

8. yeah, what a crock of shit he served up. n/t

[redqueen]

9. Ugh... how ignorant of him.

Maybe he meant caste system? We don't have that... but class? It's hard to believe he's that clueless.

[Demoiselle]

10. I HEARD him say that! I can't believe it. I always thought he was fairly smart. (eom)

[Mz Pip]

11. I was taken aback by that comment

Of course we do. IT may not be as pronounced as it is in other countries but you have your head in the sand to actually believe it doesn't exist.

However, the class system is beginning to crumble if the reactions of conservative rich white people is any indication. They seem to be fighting their damnedest to hang onto the rules of white priviledge.

[dmallind]

12. Depends on the context

We surely do have a society with markedly different opportunities, access, safeguards and so on based on economic echelon. If he denied that he is naive at best.

But it is not the equivalent of a rigid class system based on birth which is irrevocable for life, such as exists (fading greatly) in Europe and is clearer still in places like India. While being simply rich but not blue-blooded may get you snubbed at the best Boston cocktail parties, the privilege it buys in real life is exactly equal for a Vanderbilt as it is for a Maloof. Class status is almost completely fungible and elastic. If all he meant (and I don't know the context) is that you are not destined to be a low level working stiff all your life just because your dad was, then he's absolutely right. Folks born to the "lower" classes surely have a tougher time becoming "upper" class than those already born into it, but there is no bar save cash to them doing so. Sometimes merit, industry and ingenuity brings you that cash. Sometimes luck does. But it's all you need.

[Political Heretic]

16. He mentioned caste system and class divisions separately and distinct from each other.

By the way, class divides are far more rigid than you seem to think they are.

The percentage of people born in the bottom quarter who moved to the top quarter is SINGLE DIGITS for African Americans and less than 15% for Whites. Nearly SEVENTY PERCENT of blacks remained in the bottom 25% and 30% of whites.

Source:
http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/tabfig_2008_02.html

[Echo In Light]

13. Carlin used to refer to "class" as the REAL 4-letter word in America

[high density]

14. Chuck wants a shitload more of H-1B visas

I'm sure he's worried, like Alan Greenspan, that American workers are overvalued and too protected.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill by Labor Day that seems certain to include a way to increase the H-1B cap.
By introducing the bill in the worse possible economic climate, and then citing Labor Day as his deadline for introducing it, you could almost argue that Schumer is egging on his opponents.

But that's not new for him. Among the people he has enlisted to help him is Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who testified this year at an immigration committee hearing that the cap protects U.S. workers from global competition, creating a "privileged elite."

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135438/Analysis_The_next_H_1B_fight_begins_by_Labor_Day

[redqueen]

19. How do they justify this crap?

[LibDemAlways]

15. Schumer is one of those guys at the top who never

mingles with the "little people" and is completely clueless.

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. "We don't even have a class system in this country"

but we're working real hard to address that oversight.

[Karmadillo]

18. Maybe we should run a Democrat against this guy in the next election.

nt