For most of my adult life I haven't paid any attention to politics until this last presidential election. I started to wonder how the President of the United States could effectively run this country when he has never lived like most of us. Our current President is wealthy and always has been. I would say that the majority of this country is poor to lower middle class. How can President Bush work REALLY hard for the poor when he has never lived in the conditions some of have lived in? How does he know what it is like to live on the street, or live paycheck to paycheck, wondering how you'll make it to the next payday? The fact is he doesn't and most likely never will. This seems along the line of the Caste system.

In addition to this, is the recent energy rate increases imposed upon us by EWEB. How convenient for them that they raised the rates when the most energy is consumed. Sure this does not affect the upper class citizens of the city, but what about most of us. These rates could put someone out of a home. Sure they have Energy Assistance programs, but how many of us actually qualify and are able to benefit from this program? Who is benefiting from these rate hikes? The Board of Directors and the Upper management. THEY can afford these high rates so it doesn't touch them, and they don't realize what it does to the rest of us who can't afford a $250 electricity bill.

There was one section in particular that struck a chord with me. The section is "The Political Economy of Society" starting on pg. 249. My husband works for a major luxury coach manufacturer in town and the "primacy of maximizing profits" explains that company to a T. They sell these coaches for $3 million + and employee over 300 people. Yet they have absolutely horrible benefits, treat their employees poorly (there are no bonuses or extras), and minuscule raises. Goal #1 for them is profit, which I understand, but how about passing down some of these profits to the people who create the product you are selling. Without them, who would build the coach you sell for $3 million??

After just reading this chapter I have a different outlook on our government, our class system, and even how I look at my own life. Not everyone is born into opportunity and it is up to us to create our own. However, if you are rich enough, opportunities are handed to you left and right.