Almost all grew up wealthy. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t serve the less fortunate.

The Myth of America’s Rags-to-Riches Presidents
By Jonathan Zimmerman 

Rudy Giuliani received $11 million last year in speaking fees alone. John McCain is worth between $20 million and $32 million, most of it earned the old-fashioned way: He married into it. John Edwards, a former trial lawyer, has assets of about $62 million. But they’re all paupers compared to Mitt Romney, founder of a private equity firm, whose personal fortune is somewhere between $190 million and $250 million.

So what else is new?

As the presidential primary contests heat up, we’re being treated to yet another round of “exposés” about the personal wealth of America’s presidential candidates. And no one has received more attention than Mr. Edwards, the antipoverty crusader with the $400 haircut and a new $4.2 million home. “What Would Jesus Do With John Edwards’s Mansion?” Fox News anchor Brit Hume quipped, in a typical jibe.

These attacks reflect a curious American blend of romanticism and cynicism. On the romantic side, Americans like to imagine that their leaders once came from log cabins and other modest circumstances. In the cynical vein, meanwhile, they presume that a wealthy candidate could not — or would not — fight for the less fortunate.

But neither claim holds up to historical scrutiny. Despite the rags-to-riches mythology, American presidents have almost always come from the wealthiest sector of society. And despite their riches, some of these leaders have spoken valiantly and effectively for the poor.

Consider the first US president, George Washington, who grew up on a plantation with 49 slaves and more than 10,000 acres. After he died, biographers tried to paint him as a humble yeoman farmer. But during his presidency, Forbes magazine reports, Washington would have made its list of the 400 richest Americans!

Ditto for Andrew Jackson, regarded as America’s first common-man president. Jackson grew up on an estate in South Carolina with slaves and a gristmill. He also attended a private academy, another mark of wealth at the time.

In the “Tippecanoe and Tyler too” campaign of 1840, William Henry

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Today’s album of the day is Joell Ortiz’s debut LP, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles. When I met Joell at Hot 97 a few months ago, we had a great conversation about the state of hip-hop.  Although we disagreed on much –he was defending much of the violence and drugs that pervades the music– I found him to be an intelligent  and insightful brother. Still, I was reluctant to listen to his CD because I assumed that it would be filled with the same sub-par lyricism and cliched subject matter that marks most of contemporary mainstream rap music.

To my surprise, I found an album that was much different than the stuff he was defending. Although this is undoubtedly a street album, Ortiz adds a level of critical insight and sophistication that pushes him ahead of his peers. Even more important, this dude can rap! From the album’s “125″ intro track to the instant classic “Night In My P’s,” Ortiz shows that it’s possible to be gully and good at the same time. Without question, this is one of the best hip hop albums of the year.

BARBERSHOP RATING: 4.5/5.0 CLIPPERS

Drew Carey New Price Host

Comedian Drew Carey has been named as Bob Barker’s successor as host of The Price Is Right. What do you think?

Carmen Stauffer,
Phone Salesperson
“But Bob Barker was just starting to get the hang of it.”

Robert Marsalla,
Systems Analyst
“Really? Did Ted Danson guess $10,000 higher than CBS offered?”

Pierce Atkinson,
Mortgage Broker
“Well, I certainly can’t think of anyone more or less qualified for the job.”

Today’s photo of the day shows the new logo for BET’s latest program, “We Got To Do Better.” After weeks of protest, the network decided to change show’s original title, “Hot Ghetto Mess.” Unfortunately, the show continues to offer disgusting caricatures of Black people.

Today’s video of the day comes from one of the Barbershop’s own readers. At his request, I won’t say his online name. Nevertheless, his musical performance is, well……. Check it out and say what you think!!!