Hi:
I gather from reading this chapter that America has class stratifications to benefit the rich not the poor. I think sometimes the rich can do a bang up job of convincing society that social stratifications are for the good of all but in reality this is not true. Here in America, the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. The rich couldn't really care less about the poor unless the poor directly threaten the rich through revolution etc. or if helping the poor directly helps increase a rich person's likeability; ie: a politician essentially pretending to care about the blacks or pretending to champion the homeless cause, in order to win an election. I think the majority of the rich are very far removed from the poor and because of this do not truly understand how to make laws which would really make life better for all in our society and make sure every person's at least basic needs in society were met well & reasonably. I have heard all the arguments on each side, I have heard the qualifications, measurements, comparisons, supposed reasons, rationale, and justifications of each side, rich and poor. I'm left with the reality that while so many people are wrapped up in red tape, paper work, beauracracy and politics, some people in America are still living "subhuman" poor lives. After all is said and done, I am still amazed at the rich/the politicians inability to create laws/systems/structures which will rectify the atrocious poverty in this country. I know that even when politicians care about an issue and want to change it and have at least a somewhat reasonable plan for making good changes in society, that their idea may still not be implemented because the people with the most money don't want it implemented period. I really think that the fact that we haven't gotten past go in dealing effectively with poverty in this country shows how important it is for the rich to retain their strongholds then become excessively more wealthy with investments etc. and forego making the neccessary changes to end poverty and help create better livings for everyone in America. C'mon we are in 2002 and we haven't even diversified our energy sources yet. Why, because until just recently the rich had decided to continue to promote the idea that our world has unlimited resources which won't be depleted, and even if they do get depleted, as long as there's enough for the rich everything's still hunky dory. I think the rich are definitely getting a wake up call with our continued energy/oil crises. I think the rich realize changes have to be made, even for the survival of the rich. I think the rich realize we need to get environmentally friendly and treat the planet and eachother well truly. The rich are starting to realize that environmentalists aren't just playing games but the things being said environmentally are true. Computers while they continue to pollute and haven't really managed to save paper, are also able to inform the rich of the rates of depletion of our natural resources in a timely fashion. Maybe? this is finally helping to convince the couldn't care less rich that changes indeed do need to happen.
Finally, I think different areas of America ought to have local laws govern the area more, laws which make sense for that area instead of standardized laws made miles away from an area by persons who know almost nothing about the area.
The way the rich will change things is by pressure from the poor. Clever pressure put on the rich to make positive changes. I think boycotts, pickets, strikes, and the such are sometimes helpful.
In closing, I'll say I still think that no matter what each individual, and organization has personal responsibility to help make living better for all here in America, on Earth.
Our country needs to evolve well pronto, no excuses.