The Divide

As with everywhere in the world, there is something of a class system in the US - but, of course, this operates differently to that in the UK. Whereas the classes in the UK are largely about breeding (as it were - parrticularly when it comes to the upper class) and it's very difficult to go up classes at a certain level (i'm sure people can go up from working to middle and back again, but the jump from middle upwards is a bit harder), this isn't the case here - largely as the class system operates on money and, mainly, whether you have it. Thus, David and Victoria Beckham are considered upper class from an American point of view (and i have had bemused looks when laughing uproariously at this). Of course, it's not termed as upper, middle and working classes - but with the somewhat more confusing blue/white collar etc. designations - that largely leave anyone less than that out in the cold (i believe this is where the term 'redneck' originates as these people didn't have collars - hence, weren't professionals etc.)

A major aspect of all this in the US, is the debate over the Rich-Poor divide - mainly, is it getting wider. The answer, certainly, of late has been yes - and it is perhaps not coincidential that this has largely occurred with the current administration in power. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer - and little is being done to stem the flow. In a society such as this, it is a very bad thing - cars are essential for getting around (with little public transport outside of the major cities) but what if you can't afford to run one? What about health insurance - something that would be essential if you were living in a poor, run-down area (this is largely the area above the Crosstown in Charleston - the point where highway 17 crosses over the downtown peninsula). Whilst there are a couple of free clinics here and there (my student Michael helps translate in one of these), they are liable to be incredibly busy and full. Yet throughout all this, the White House seems to content to pour billions of dollars in fighting battles overseas, when one really feels he should be focusing on getting his OWN affairs in order before telling other countries how to run theirs.