resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals

:O PRO has forfeited....==REBUTTALS==I didn't finish refuting PRO's arguments in the last round so I shall finish here.PRO says "My opponent then for his second contention states that The American Dream must be achieved by the people themselves. Our belief is that any person deserves the chance to achieve the American Dream, but this doesn't guarantee them a successful life. He gives some examples to. The examples he gives show people, who one in a million. Bill Clinton may have had a drunk father, but he lived in a good neighborhood and worked hard, where as we can see that there are a lot of people that live in bad neighborhoods, don't have schooling, drop out, and then make bad decisions. To event further extend my own point, lets looks at President Bush, he was a drunk and failed out of most schools. But because of his wealthy father he was able to get back on his feet and become president. People may have to work for their dreams, but they cannot properly do so if their ability to carry out work is hindered."1)Even if he lived in a 'good' neighborhood, it doesn't change the fact that domestic violence occurred. Domestic violence can cause traumatic stress and increase mental problems, yet Clinton worked around this.2) PRO talks about how candidates have an advantage with money, but money doesn't force people to vote for those candidates. The people can choose whether or not if they wanted to vote for, in this case, Bush. Democracy is still evident.3) In the case of presidential campaigns, candidates receive public funding from the government.PRO says "Finally my opponents third contention state that the existence of wealth among the citizens of America simply proves that our free markets are working. Many of America's wealthiest citizens are also among the most ambitious, clever and hard-working. This is a sign of the freedom to successfully direct one's economic self-destiny. Okay, every country has an existence of wealth, does that correlate to success as a whole. The fact is, is that these wealthy people have more rights, the fact that our markets are working has not relation to the threatening to democratic ideals, and not everyone has access to the markets, and even of those who do, only a handful have a noticeable profit."1) I've already stated this before, and I will again. The rich and the poor are entitled to the same exact rights. One cannot say that you can "buy" certain rights.2) PRO says that my argument about our working markets isn't relevant to the topic. However, a commonly cherished democratic ideal is the idea of a free market. We invest in a free market system, and gaining profit from this is a sign that it is working.3) PRO also states that not everyone can access our free market.. However, this isn't true. Anyone who wants and has money can access a free market. A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. A free-market economy is one within which all markets are unregulated by any parties other than market participants. We've already established that we are talking about employed people, which implies that we are dealing with people that have the right resources. Now, anyone who meets these standards can participate in the exchange of goods. Needless to say, they are in a market where prices are determined by supply and demand.By the way, I've decided to elaborate on my response to PRO's argument about how employment doesn't mean that people have enough money.1) Within America, there exists something called the "minimum wage", which draws the line at which businesses can give the lowest pay for a person's work. This increases the standard of living of workers, reduces poverty, and forces businesses to be more efficient. ==RECAP== 1. I've stated how life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can be accomplished by any employed person.2. Everyone has the chance to fulfill the American Dream, but isn't guaranteed the success of it.3. Income disparities show that our free market economy is working, and people can direct their economic destiny.4. Student Loans, supported by the government, allow more people the access to higher level education.5. Government and local organizations exist to provide a range of services for the needy. This allows them access to the rights of life and liberty, however the pursuit of happiness is in their own hands.6. The government has passed laws in order to ensure equality between different races.7. Spending limits withhold the amount of money a candidate can spend on a certain state.8. Public funding by the government is provided to presidential candidates for campaigns.9. Limits on how much you can donate helps to prevent and hinder people who are trying to gain 'favors' from candidates.10. The top contributors are made public.11. Secret ballots keeps who you vote from private, so that 'buying votes' is impossible, as you have no form of confirmation.====VOTE CON :D!