Anyone who pays attention to politics can agree that the story of Kamala Harris is truly inspiring. Her family came from Kentucky, where she spent much of her childhood, and she grew up in a small town in Ohio. At an early age her father and mother separated, and she was legally adopted by her stepfather. She never had a stable father-figure, however, because her mother constantly contracted dysfunctional and abusive relationships. Indeed, Harris’ mother became abusive and addicted to drugs. Without the support of her Mamaw and Papaw, Harris might never have survived childhood. Nonetheless, she went on to join the Marines, graduated from Ohio State University in two years, and then attended Yale Law School. Despite her insular upbringing, she married an Indian man, thereby crossing cultural boundaries in a typically American fashion. Her story is an example of how hard work allows people from even the most dire circumstances to achieve the American dream.
J.D. Vance, by contrast, is a phony. He touts working-class credentials by pointing to his birth in Oakland, despite spending most of his time in Berkley. After all, his parents are two successful UC Berkley PhDs. Indeed, his father eventually became a professor at Stanford. Then, at the age of twelve, Vance and his mother moved to an affluent neighborhood in Montreal where he spent the rest of his adolescence. After returning to the United States, he graduated from Howard College and UC Hastings law school. As an ambitious young professional he got his start in government after starting an affair with a married woman named Willa Brown, a mover and shaker in California politics. Despite his laziness and incompetence, he continued to rise due to the patronage of his lover. Now, at the age of 60, he is seeking the presidency following his dismal performance as Vice President – a position he only got because he is a white man. While failing to stem the flow of illegal immigration, he also covered up the senility of his boss…
Oops! I wrote the first part of this essay after reading the New York Times and Washington Post. They all said Kamala had good vibes so I just assumed she was the poor kid from Appalachia. Maybe I should start thinking for myself.
