Andy Bloom: The Land of Opportunity versus a bumper sticker slogan
Vice President Kamala Harris remains vague about her plans and limits speaking with the media because she has a difficult task talking about “turning the page” and “a new way forward” while at the same time serving as the current Vice President.
The economy is consistently the number one issue in the 2024 election, an issue that does not serve her well. Harris’s salve for the economic problems this administration created is her “opportunity economy.”
What is the “opportunity economy?” She offers few hints, and much of what she has said has been panned even by the liberal media and fellow Democrats.
America doesn’t need Kamala Harris to create an opportunity economy. For over two centuries, the United States has been known as “the land of opportunity” because of the possibilities for economic success, upward mobility, and personal freedoms.
For most of the nation’s history, people succeeded and even got wealthy without handouts from the federal government because America is the land of opportunity.
For many years, E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one) was the United States de facto motto. America was known as a melting pot because millions of immigrants, particularly from Europe and Asia, came here, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Immigrants left their homelands seeking freedom from oppression, poverty, and lack of opportunity. The U.S. was where hard work, ambition, and merit could lead to prosperity regardless of how little they started with or their social status in their native country.
People come to the United States because it is the land of opportunity. The U.S. underwent rapid industrial growth in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Factories were springing up across the country, creating vast numbers of jobs. There were opportunities in construction and other areas associated with a rapidly developing nation. These jobs often paid better than those in immigrants’ home countries, drawing people worldwide.
Like today, immigrants then faced forms of discrimination at first. However, immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries made it a point to assimilate. They learned English. There were no accommodations for additional languages.
Conservatives today aren’t anti-immigration. Conservatives are anti-illegal immigration, a point lost on liberals who prefer open borders. A sane immigration policy is needed – starting with zero tolerance for illegal immigration.
In the mid-1800s, the term “Manifest Destiny,” the belief that the United States should expand its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, became popular. Westward expansion began from the nation’s inception.
The Homestead Act, signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, encouraged westward expansion by offering land (up to 160 acres) at little or no cost to almost anyone willing to build a home and live on the land for at least five years. It contributed to “The American Dream” by promoting land ownership and economic opportunity for millions, including immigrants, freed slaves, and women.
The U.S. has a long history of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Inventors and innovators such as Eli Whitney, Robert Fulton, Samuel Morse, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk are a few of the inventors and entrepreneurs that have changed Americans’ lives — and peoples’ lives worldwide. The entrepreneurial spirit is part of the American ethos.
The United States of America became the land of opportunity for a multitude of reasons, but many of them have to do with freedom, including freedom of religion. Early settlers, from the Pilgrims to William Penn to Catholics in Maryland, came to the New World to escape religious persecution in Europe and establish a place to worship freely. America’s commitment to religious freedom and never having a state religion is a key component of our identity. The Constitution’s First Amendment enshrines religious freedom.
Equally essential are the political freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. America’s democratic system is based on individual rights – including speaking and protesting against the government. These rights contrasted sharply with the monarchies and authoritarian regimes of the Old World. For nearly 250 years, we have freely been allowed to organize for change and pursue change without government interference – something that many fear has been weakened under the current administration.
The Constitution also protects property rights and free enterprise. The United States is the land of opportunity because of capitalism. It allows people who start with nothing to create and build wealth.
As lawmakers tinker with the system, trying to produce equal results instead of ensuring equal opportunities guaranteed in our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the country risks moving toward European-style socialism and further from the land of opportunity.
The development of a public education system and the proliferation of universities helped create a more educated workforce, creating opportunities for social mobility and economic success. Today, public schools and universities have become indoctrination camps. Unless schools return to teaching the basics, the U.S. will lose another part of our greatness.
The nation has always celebrated self-made men and women. People who made the most of opportunities include one of the nation’s earliest heroes, Benjamin Franklin, who moved from Boston to Philadelphia with only enough money left to buy three rolls but became one of the most famous citizens of his time.
Many with nothing and went on to become among the wealthiest Americans, such as John Jacob Astor, a German immigrant, and Scottish-born Andrew Carnegie, who founded the largest steel company in the country, which he sold to J.P. Morgan for a sum equal to $15 billion today.
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery but escaped when he was 20. His book, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave,” was a bestseller in the U.S. in Europe, bringing him international fame. Douglas became the first black man to advise an American President (Lincoln) during several meetings at the White House.
Recent examples include Oprah Winfrey and Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. America remains a land of opportunity where anybody can become a rags-to-riches story. These are a few of the millions of people who demonstrate that America is still the land of opportunity.
People worldwide are willing to risk their lives to get to the United States because they understand that America is still the land of opportunity.
America already has an opportunity economy. If the government got out of the way, reducing regulations, red tape, and the tax burden on individuals and businesses, it would unleash more entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.
The government spending more money to fix problems always has unintended consequences. Giving away more money or having the government control prices for “price gouging” that neither the FTC (which Biden ordered to investigate) nor the Fed couldn’t find will be disastrous for the economy, as both always have been.
The country needs immigration – as it always has. But we should choose who we allow into the country, not permit a free-for-all at an open border.
Everybody should have an equal chance at birth, but nobody should be given a boost or held down because of race, sex, or any other factor other than their abilities and willingness to work hard.
America has been the land of opportunity since the first colonists came from Europe. The United States became the greatest and most powerful country in the history of the world because of a combination of historical events, economic policies, and a legal framework that creates an environment where individuals have the potential to achieve personal and financial success to the best of their abilities.
That’s why America has been and remains the last best hope and the land of opportunity. Those opportunities and achieving the American Dream draw millions to the United States annually – not “the opportunity economy” Kamala babbles about.
Andy Bloom is President of Andy Bloom Communications. He specializes in media training and political communications. He has programmed legendary stations including WIP, WPHT, WYSP/Philadelphia, KLSX, Los Angeles, and WCCO Minneapolis. He was Vice President of Programming for Emmis International, Greater Media Inc., and Coleman Research. Andy also served as communications director for Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio). He can be reached by email at andy@andybloom.com or you can follow him on Twitter at @AndyBloomCom.
“However, immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries made it a point to assimilate. They learned English. There were no accommodations for additional languages. ” – Today we provide immigrants with support so they can not be excluded by native English speakers from accessing the same government services, including English as a second language classes.
“Conservatives today aren’t anti-immigration. Conservatives are anti-illegal immigration” Conservatives passed laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, prevented Native Americans from becoming citizens until 1924 and did not have the right to vote until 1948, in the early 1920’s, and they wrote immigration quotas that favored White, English speaking Europeans which prevented Jews from fleeing Nazi’s to America from 1930 to 1950.
“Today, public schools and universities have become indoctrination camps. Unless schools return to teaching the basics, the U.S. will lose another part of our greatness.” Would those basics include white washed versions of history or how we should treat everyone equally no matter how different we are?
“Everybody should have an equal chance at birth, but nobody should be given a boost or held down because of race, sex, or any other factor other than their abilities and willingness to work hard.” You’re right. Unfortunately given the repression of Blacks, Asian, Hispanics and the laws that allowed for discrimination. It is very hard to make up for over 150 years of repression.
I’m not sure what country your family originally emigrated from. I can tell you stories how my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and even myself have been openly discriminated against because of who we are.
Thank you for once again telling the residents of the Philadelphia area how they should live their lives, from the safety of Minnesota.
However, immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries made it a point to assimilate. They learned English. There were no accommodations for additional languages. ” – Today we provide immigrants with support so they can not be excluded by native English speakers from accessing the same government services, including English as a second language classes.
Yes, This is the author’s point. A drag on resources and a direct cost to American taxpayers. Or don’t you equate this?
“Conservatives today aren’t anti-immigration. Conservatives are anti-illegal immigration” Conservatives passed laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, prevented Native Americans from becoming citizens until 1924 and did not have the right to vote until 1948, in the early 1920’s, and they wrote immigration quotas that favored White, English speaking Europeans which prevented Jews from fleeing Nazi’s to America from 1930 to 1950.
The Chinese exclusion act was in response to the west coast labor unions losing too many jobs due to the overbearing influx of Chinese nationals who were fleeing China due to famine and political unrest. Unions and democrats again. It had nothing to do with race, was relaxed after 10 years, and allowed Chinese immigrants to receive a Certificate of Residence so as not to face deportation. Sound legislation. The Act ended when China became our ally in WW2.
“Today, public schools and universities have become indoctrination camps. Unless schools return to teaching the basics, the U.S. will lose another part of our greatness.” Would those basics include white washed versions of history or how we should treat everyone equally no matter how different we are?
You mean like how Catholics are treated by our current administration? Or Jews are treated on Ivy League campuses? Not sure what schools you went to, but whitewashing? That’s hog washing. Our history is bare to all – including warts. In 1619 we were a satellite of England. The history of America begins with our Declaration of independence.
“Everybody should have an equal chance at birth, but nobody should be given a boost or held down because of race, sex, or any other factor other than their abilities and willingness to work hard.” You’re right. Unfortunately given the repression of Blacks, Asian, Hispanics and the laws that allowed for discrimination. It is very hard to make up for over 150 years of repression.
Well we’re about 60 years in on the democrat’s plan for civil rights (after resisting passage until they could buy votes with it), probably close to $30 trillion dollars (if not more), and blacks are probably worse off than 60 years ago. What’s your answer? More money thrown at 14% of our population? More watering down of school curriculums? More weighted college admissions based on race? Unchecked plagiarism on doctorate thesis work for minorities? More concessions of law enforcement for people of color? More forced subprime home loans? What else should the country do for minorities? I know: I’ll offer you JOY.
I’m not sure what country your family originally emigrated from. I can tell you stories how my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and even myself have been openly discriminated against because of who we are.
Who are you? Why do you feel discriminated against? I would venture that your dog whistle ‘discrimination’ claim is merely just common annoyance with your liberal drivel and constant victimhood attitude. I don’t know your lineage, but if your attitude runs in the family, that might explain it.
Thank you for once again telling the residents of the Philadelphia area how they should live their lives, from the safety of Minnesota.
What does that even mean? Do you want residency requirements on free thought and expression? Is there ANYTHING that liberals don’t want to restrict if it doesn’t align with their personal opinion? And just how safe is Minnesota with a coward liberal commie wackjob who lets his cities burn as its governor?
Reply
“allowed Chinese immigrants to receive a Certificate of Residence” Which is not the same thing as being allowed to become a citizen.
“but if your attitude runs in the family, that might explain it.” – So your saying we were uppity and did not know our place?
“More concessions of law enforcement for people of color? ” No, equal treatment under the law, because driving while Black is still a problem.
“Today, public schools and universities have become indoctrination camps” I would venture that your dog whistle claim is merely just common annoyance with your conservative drivel and constant victimhood attitude.
That’s what I figured. Puked up alphabet soup word salad response.
“Uppity” was the word use by Lyndon Johnson during the democrats fight against the civil rights discussions back in ’57. Congrats.
Go sit in the corner with your pointy hat.
““Uppity” was the word use by Lyndon Johnson during the democrats fight against the civil rights discussions back in ’57.” – Uppity was used by racists and the racists from 1957 who were Democrats became Republicans.
“That’s what I figured. Puked up alphabet soup word salad response.” – No, you just don’t have a response to facts, so you resort to TDS.
Johnson became a Republican? Do tell! I thought he was the hero of civil rights?
Where did I resort to TDS? Maybe you got it so bad that you see it wherever you look and play the TDS card.
You should just give up while you’re behind.
“Johnson became a Republican?” Where did I say that?
“Where did I resort to TDS? ” – Republicans suffer from TDS because they will believe anything Trumps says. Mexico will pay for the wall, I will announce a healthcare plan better than Obamacare in two weeks, Trump won the 2020 election, and Hattians in Ohio are eating peoples dogs and cats. Only a deranged person will accept statements like this after 7.5 years.
“– Uppity was used by racists and the racists from 1957 who were Democrats became Republicans.”
That’s where you said that.
Mexico would have paid for he wall with money we would not have to spend by ‘stay at home’ regulation at the border. “Haitians” causing problems in Springfield, Ohio is now front and center to the nation. Video of a black woman from Canton, Ohio purportedly eating a cat was making the rounds on Social media. It was mistakenly tied to Springfield, but that doesn’t lessen the affects of open border policies by Biden Harris. Your statement accusing me of TDS actually proves that the next president lives rent free in your infected brain, since I made no mention of TRUMP in any of my comments.
Another predictably biased piece. Does Trump even mention a “concept of a plan” for the economy in any of the incomprehensible word salad that comes out when he talks? Run up the national debt at a record pace like in his first term? (7 TRILLION dollars in only 4 years!!!) Go bankrupt like he did with his MANY failed businesses? More failed trade wars? Now he says he wants to repeal HIS OWN cap on SALT deductions because of how terrible it is and because most of his followers don’t even know he’s the one who implemented it. What a clown.
Not true. Over Trump’s entire term, including the 2020 burst of emergency COVID spending, the debt increased by $7.7 trillion. However, about 15% of that debt total was the result of Treasury’s choice to keep additional cash on hand during the pandemic. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, unsure how much tax revenue would be collected, borrowed well over $1 trillion—but kept it in reserve, without ever spending it. Biden, however, spent that reserve, then borrowed another $7 trillion on top of it. Instead of simply allowing that one-time emergency COVID spending to expire, Biden / Harris and the Democratic Congress continued spending at that same COVID-era level, thus institutionalizing multitrillion-dollar deficits. Accounting for the changes in cash balances at the Treasury, the debt actually rose $6.5 trillion during Trump’s entire term—and is up $7.9 trillion in less than four years of Biden’s tenure. Worse, the Treasury has announced that it anticipates needing to borrow another $800 billion from July through September of this year, followed by hundreds of billions more from October to December as federal finances further deteriorate. All told, Biden / Harris will likely oversee a net increase in the debt of more than $9 trillion in a single term—a new record.
Why do you think illegals are being granted drivers licenses as fast as possible, which automatically allows them to register to vote, via assistance from a number of Democrat funded NGOs in 20-plus Democrat run states across the country?
“Arizona is unique among states in that it requires voters to prove their citizenship to participate in local and state races. Voters can demonstrate citizenship by providing a driver’s license or tribal ID number, or they can attach a copy of a birth certificate, passport or naturalization documents.
Arizona considers drivers’ licenses issued after October 1996 to be valid proof of citizenship. However, a system coding error marked nearly 98,000 voters who obtained licenses before 1996 — roughly 2.5 percent of all registered voters — as full-ballot voters, state officials said.” – PBS News, ‘Arizona high court rules nearly 98,000 people whose citizenship hadn’t been confirmed can vote the full ballot’ 9-21-24