Obama's Plan

Obama wishes to expand the middle class and create a million new jobs, especially within engineering and technology, which is why he wants to increase teachers in maths and science so the students can excel in theses jobs. And cut tuition fees so college is more available.

He also proposes more American industries and does not want to manufacture abroad as this probably costs more because of importation. He also envisions a green America with renewable energy resources.

I think his plan is what many people would envision, however is it really possible? He wants to tax the wealthy which will not please Republicans and so will make achieving his plans even harder.

The Romney Plan

"BELIEVE IN AMERICA"

Mitt Romney, an American business man and politician, served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts, and was the republican's nominee for the 2012 presidential elections. In his advertisements for US Presidency, Romney promised a stronger middle class, trade that works for America, reduced spending and by helping small businesses, the promise of 12 million new jobs around the country. 

I believe that what Romney was promising, would have been beneficial to America, yet could it have been accomplished? Both Romney and Obama, promised a change in health care policies, even if Romney suggested it be for small business employees and not those who are uninsured, as Obama has. 
Romney's campaign has elements that have occurred throughout presidential elections since 1792, the promise of a better America. Obama and Romney's view on economic development differ; Romney for economic growth, Obama for fairness.

His advertisement for the 2012 presidential election was a video known as 'The Romney Plan'. http://youtu.be/dFQAZYZrjVU

The New American

De Crevecoeur believes that "The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas and form new opinions". This idea is still relevant today. It's present in the skyscrapers, theme parks and attractions, film and cinema. De Crevecoeur states that the American must entertain new ideas, this involves trying new things, and most importantly, new foods.

Behold, Philadelphia's new 'Twinkie Burger'. Fox News states as "far as the taste, think tooth-aching-sweet Twinkies mixing with the saltiness of the pork and cheese, making for a sweet and savoury flavour combination".  

America is evidently one of the most unique countries when it comes to food. Obviously you would not see these types of new concoctions by walking into a Toby Carvery. America has no limits when it comes to trying new things. 

Melting Pot

 
  The image I have chosen addresses the idea of America as a "melting pot". The image suggests that the melting pot is formed through liberty and freedom as I believe that the statue of liberty symbolises this. De Crevecoeur addresses this issue too, as he believes the influx of immigrants helps create this new race. I believe De Crevecoeur too also believes in this and that it helps to create a new race. One that has disowned and got rid of any prejudices that the person may have learnt from living in a different country. The new American would only do this because of the principal, not because of law or obedience, which they may have learnt to after previously being a subordinate in their home country. He believes that America allows a person to lose the shackles and rough edges of their former self and become consumed and overwhelmed to become a better and refined person.

 I believe, however, that this image does have a degree of hypocrisy to it, as it does not address the acceptance of slavery and other evil characteristics. The idea that the American population has been moulded together by liberty and freedom is not completely true as not all are treated the same. Different languages are dismissed, as all speak English, that in itself proves that there is a certain amount of control and rule to America. This prove that the image is slightly hypocritical.

http://americanwiki.pbworks.com/w/page/12595396/The%20Melting%20Pot%20and%20Americanism

American Ideals

This video represents a group called Human Rights First which talks about challenging America to uphold their ideals.

I feel the video expresses the ideals that Crevecoeur talks about as it mentions freedom - 'America is freedom' which Crevecoeur states 'their happy independence, the great share of freedom they possess' which comes from being free from Europe and the class system and the space to set up your own future.

It also talks about national pride which Crevecoeur mentions 'he must necessarily feel a share of national pride when he views the chain of settlements' and expresses how this nation will provide so much for him.

It talks about the freedom of religion, which is what a majority of migrants from Europe wanted and because America is diverse it has many different religions and needs to uphold all of them.

'We are the most perfect society now existing in the world' - this can be expressed by the video's comment 'The world needs American leadership' this expresses how they lead the world not just in innovation and science but in morals and how they uphold the right to universal freedom.

Education, Education, Education

www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2qoqs-GeBj0&h=SAQGEXbFs

This is a video on YouTube of a child education product for parents to buy. This is a product in visual, reading and speaking task that will give their children a chance to have a more advanced education, promising that they will have a better life  . I thought this would be a good example of a modern representation of the quote by De Crevecoeur makes about education.

"If he is a good man, he forms schemes of future prosperity, her proposes to educate his children better than he has been educated himself; he thinks of future modes of conduct"  (De Crevecoeur, 2009. Page 59)

This quote shows that the people of America should think about their future and that the older generations should be planning of new ways to help the new generations to have a better life and a better education - which will ultimately leads to a better America. This commercial only emphasises the quote from De Crevecoeur, as this part of the plan to give the children a better education. It claims that by showing younger children education activities they will learn more as this is the time in which their minds are still growing. All of this will make them more prepared for school, College and University leading to a better job.

Gadgets On Planes

Crevecoeur talks about America as leading the way for the rest of the world, and being more open for opportunities. This is directly said, "Here he beholds fair cities, substantial villages, extensive fields, and immense country filled with decent houses, good roads, orchards, meadows, and bridges, where a hundred years ago, all was wild, woody, and uncultivated!" (pg 40) This shows America as not just being a vast expanse of land ready for use, but as quick in development and leading the way in development.
This may be because "Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them that great mass of arts, sciences, vigour, and industry, which began long since in the east" (pg 44) Crevecoeur here talks about how Americans use the knowledge and technology created in the east, and adapt and build on it to be the front runner in advances.

(http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/national_world&id=9307953)

One way this is still shown today is the recent news talking about how passengers will be able to use gadgets for the entire flight on US flights. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24761329) This shows America as embracing the 'technological revolution', which many of their brands such as Apple and Microsoft helped to create and make the movement thrive. The video on the website dismisses the traditional means of entertainment on flights such as books and newspapers, almost suggesting they are out-dated and impractical, despite still being used by many, and that the new modern gadgets such as e-readers and tablets are the way forward. For US airlines to implement this idea, it shows the US as leading the way, quite literally, around the world that they are ahead technologically, with new and fresh ideas making daily life easier, hinting at what Crevecoeur was discussing with the US being ahead and leading the way, with all the knowledge carried over from the east.