Read this fictitious political speech, which was delivered to a group of blue-blood, wealthy corporate owners in the Hamptons. Then respond to the short answer questions using complete sentences and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Be sure to refer to the class textbook for support in your responses! Include an APA style citation for any resources used below your responses.
Half of the Country
1. IDENTIFY at least four rhetorical devices employed in this speech. Be specific. Name the rhetorical device used and sentence where it is found.
2. IDENTIFY one logical fallacy found in the speech. PROVIDE the sentence and explain why it is a logical fallacy.
3. IDENTIFY one psychological fallacy found in the speech. PROVIDE the sentence and explain why it is a psychological fallacy.
link text-Half of the Country
My fellow countrymen who run the country, it has recently come to light that I made a
comment a few months ago. The comment concerned me stating that half of the
country needs to find a way to support themselves and the government cannot support
them. Well, I stand by that comment. How can half of the country, who pay no federal
income taxes, expect the other half to support them through their tax dollars? Further,
who creates the jobs for the half of country that works hard and pays taxes? We do!
The non-paying half are Slackers. Yes, that is what I will call them in the confidence of
this company I keep here! The Slackers are lazy! Nothing is ever enough for them. I
guess they were somewhat happy about getting a free cell phone. The cell phone
wasn’t enough. Before you know it, the Slackers will demand a new iPhone5. Forget
having to work for it- they should just simply get it. Well, I say to them, “I wouldn’t
give you a free iPhone 5 if they were growing on trees in one of my many vineyards!”
Our system currently allows for massive government support Slackers; however, would
those paying taxes agree with this? Is it right for half of the country to support the
Slackers? Is my logic flawed here or am I taking crazy pills?
A Slacker getting free support is like allowing your adult children to move back home
and then not requiring them to get a job. There is no incentive for the adult child to do
anything other than play World of Warcraft all day long because they are eating and
have a roof over their head.
However, I do understand the need for continuing federal dollars, supporting state
programs, which provide WIC and other assistance to single parents. Being a single
parent is not easy, especially when the majority of single mothers are not receiving
adequate child support from the father. Those that benefit from these programs are
only using it as a temporary means to get back on their feet through employment or
education…and the true benefit is going to the children. How can we punish children?
We will only be as strong as our means to temporarily assist single parents in raising
children that are the future of our country.
My opponent is stupid and his policies have only given handouts to Slackers.
In summary, I implore all of you to vote for me. I already have massive public support
to cut entitlement programs, repeal the previous administration’s tax credits, lower the
tax base for the upper class, and create a flat 30 percent tax for the middle class. You
are joining an Army of budget reform!
