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It is widely recognized that the gap between rich and poor is bigger in the United States than in any other advanced country in the world.
People in Europe tend to complain about how the economic pie is divided, while Americans want, not to redistribute the wealth, but instead to become one of the rich.
Even the poorest still believe in The American Dream, the illusion that anyone, with hard work and perseverance, can become unimaginably wealthy. And with luck (winning the lottery, etc.) one doesn't even have to work to get rich.
After all, this is America... the land of the FREE.
From analysis of all I've heard from Tucson's local poor folks, they are still waiting for Obamacare to kick in and they can get the free health care that was promised to them. They speak of how the Republicans are racists and that they are holding up the works.
When I remind them it was not free health care that was promised but the availability of affordable health insurance. And when I mention that all people will be required to buy health insurance or pay a fine, they laugh and say I don't know what I'm talking about.
Both ignorance and downright stupidity abound throughout the land.
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TRIVIA
In March 2000 Sheikh Saud Al-Thani of Qatar purchased a copy of J. J. Audubon’s The Birds of America, published in 1840, is the most valuable book in the world. In March 2000 Sheikh Saud Al-Thani of Qatar purchased a first edition for $8,802,500 -- the highest price ever paid for a book.
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HISTORICAL EVENT
Garfield's assassin was an attorney and unsuccessful political office-seeker named Charles Guiteau. Guiteau stepped behind the president at a railway station and fired two shots. The first bullet grazed Garfield's arm; the second lodged below his pancreas.
Doctors made several unsuccessful attempts to remove the bullet while Garfield lay in his White House bedroom, awake and in pain. Alexander Graham Bell, who was one of Garfield's physicians, tried to use an early version of a metal detector to find the second bullet, but failed.
Guiteau was deemed sane by a jury, convicted of murder and hanged on June 30, 1882.
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WORD FOR TODAY
extravagant
adjective
1. Given to lavish or imprudent expenditure.
2. Exceeding reasonable bounds: extravagant demands.
3. Extremely abundant; profuse: extravagant vegetation.
4. Unreasonably high; exorbitant: extravagant fees.
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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Adam West is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series on the ABC TV network and the 1966 Batman feature film. He is currently known for portraying eccentric or psychotically delusional characters, as well as his voice work on animated series such as The Fairly OddParents and Family Guy, in both of which he voices a fictional version of himself.
Joan Lunden
(born September 19, 1950)
(born September 19, 1950)
Joan Lunden is an American journalist, author and television host. She was the co-host of ABC's Good Morning America (GMA) from 1980 through 1997 and is the author of 8 books. Lunden has appeared on the Biography program and Biography Channel.
James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon
(born September 19, 1974)
(born September 19, 1974)
Jimmy Fallon is an American comedian, actor, singer, musician and television host. He currently hosts Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a late-night talk show that airs on NBC. Prior to that he appeared in several films, and was best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1998 to 2004. On April 3, 2013, NBC announced that Fallon would replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show at the conclusion of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Cass Elliot
(Sept 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974)
(Sept 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974)
Mama Cass was an American singer and member of The Mamas & the Papas. After the group broke up, she released five solo albums. In 1998, Elliot, John Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Michelle Phillips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their work as The Mamas & the Papas.
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The greatest wealth is to live content with little.
--Plato
NASA TV
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