The tale of JD Vance's rise from humble beginnings to a position of prominence in the U.S. Marine Corps and ultimately to the U.S. Senate is a source of inspiration for many Americans.
His memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," which chronicles his journey through adversity, has not only become a bestseller but also the foundation for a film adaptation directed by Ron Howard. However, it seems that this narrative of personal triumph is viewed with disdain by some affluent Democrats.
In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) took the opportunity to criticize Vance. According to The Blaze, Beatty's critique was not directed at Vance's legislative agenda or his performance in Washington, D.C., but rather his pursuit of success. Beatty, who herself is a multimillionaire, attempted to link Vance with the Democrats' favorite target, Project 2025, before launching her attack. "JD Vance likes to talk about how he's from Ohio, but as soon as he could, he ran away to Yale and Silicon Valley, cozying up with billionaires while trashing our communities," she said.
However, Beatty's critique conveniently overlooks some key details about Vance's background. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother, who was occasionally abusive, battled addiction. Vance and his sister were primarily raised by their maternal grandparents, who had their own set of problems. Despite these challenges, Vance managed to avoid the pitfalls that could have kept him mired in poverty and a cycle of addiction and abuse, and he embarked on a journey towards what many consider the American dream.
Contrary to Beatty's insinuation, Vance did not immediately head to Yale and Silicon Valley. Instead, he enlisted in the Marines after high school and was deployed to Iraq. Despite attempts by Wikipedia editors to downplay his military background, Vance received numerous medals during his four years of service.
Vance, like Beatty, later attended university. However, he chose institutions with more prestigious reputations: Ohio State University in Columbusa city Beatty is known for helping to gentrify, potentially pricing out poorer Americansand Yale Law School. After a brief period as a corporate lawyer and several years as a venture capitalist, Vance returned to his home state to serve his fellow citizens as a senator.
Beatty is not the first to attempt to diminish Vance's achievements. Some critics have argued that Vance was not a hillbilly or poor, but rather a member of the middle class who enjoyed "the relative socio-economic mobility available to many whites." Lennard Davis, a liberal arts professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, wrote a piece for a leftist blog accusing Vance of engaging in "poornography." New York Magazine labeled Vance a "class enemy" earlier this year.
Beatty's recent attack on Vance has sparked a wave of online ridicule. Will Chamberlain, senior counsel at the Article III Project, wrote, "Yeah screw that guy who grew up dirt poor and had the chutzpah to go to the highest-ranked law school in the country." Donald Trump Jr. pointed out, "JD left Ohio to join the Marine Corps and serve his country then came back went to Ohio State and then Yale. Apparently that's not good enough for the Democratic Party who just wants everyone to remain in abject poverty rather than live the American dream."
John McGuirk, the editor of Gript Media, tweeted, "Class warfare on two fronts here: First the notion that bettering yourself is an affront to other poor people, who should resent you for it. Second, the notion that hillbillies shouldn't be allowed into Yale, and middle class people should resent that."
Dan Proft, the Republican co-host of "Chicago's Morning Answer," stated, "Such a telling comment. It's the New Bolsheviks' program. If you're poor better you stay put, stay poor and stay dependent on the state b/c then they got you. Did Bill Clinton 'run away' from rural Arkansas to Georgetown and then Yale Law too? I suppose it's okay if you escape so long as you blow the bridge behind you and become one of them."
These responses highlight the ongoing debate about class mobility and the American dream, and the criticism faced by those who strive to rise above their circumstances. They also underscore the importance of understanding the full context of an individual's journey before passing judgment.
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