What Does "Hard Working" Really Mean?

Has it really been three weeks or more since I last posted? My apologies. Work and other summer events have intervened.

But, I'm on the road now, and actually better able to focus on a backlog of post topics. Election topics, of course, will be prominent.

Today, I want to have a little rant on one of the rookie Senator from Illinois' favorite phrases, 'hard working families,' or 'hard working Americans,' etc. Hilary used to bang on this one a lot, too.

Actually, every Democratic Presidential candidate does- perennially and quadrennially.

So, just what is a 'hard working' American?

Am I one? I worked last night, and this morning before breakfast. I work for myself, with a partner. From my home office.

Are you a 'hard working' American?

See, whenever I hear the freshman Senator from Illinois use the term, my mind conjures up grungy, grimy-looking, non-college-educated poor people in small towns throughout America. And they must have at least two jobs.

Preferably divorced, with about three children, and no health care.

If you aren't a personal wreck, you just aren't 'hard working.'

Is the graduate-school educated hedge fund manager who makes 40% returns annually for institutional investors such as blue-collar union pension funds a 'hard working' American?

Or the CEO of a large-cap firm which employs tens of thousands of Americans? Is he 'hard working?' Or does his seven-figure compensation disqualify him, even though he's probably divorced from a wife who tired of his career focus. And his health is probably marginal, because his lifestyle actually sucks from constant stress and travel on behalf of his shareholders.

Why isn't 'hard working' associated with Americans who have sensible plans, personal lives with limits on boneheaded behavior, and a desire to become educated and make more money?

Why must they always be painted as having children they can't afford, uneducated and, thus, requiring two low-paying jobs to pay too little for the life they lead, and always seeming to have at least one relative with a serious health issue?

This kind of black crepe paper-hanging notion of Americans who are 'hard working' really burns me.

Hopefully, as I'll write about in an upcoming posts, this portrait resonates with sufficiently few Americans that it will cause the Black Adder to lose in November.