ABSTRACT
The American values see replicated in founding documents and in the political rhetoric and policies are freedom, liberty, justice, and equality. Power is the ability to influence and control, and in politics, this is seen as the distribution of goods and services, such as who gets what, where, when, and how. The common political model for power distribution is that of the Elite Power Model. The myth of the rugged individualism is seen as declining help and taking responsibility for one’s lot in life. From the beginning of country forward, we have held onto the illusion of the rural American farmer as living the virtuous life the rugged cowboy or frontiersman as the epitome of the individual, and the myth that anyone from the backwoods born in a log cabin can become greatest president. The myth of the gender (and race) neutral citizen covers up who the laws and policies privileged.
