I would characterize the point of this commentary by
saying that it is a very populist statement. It is one that is for what the speaker
probably sees as "common sense" and against the excesses of big government and of the
rich.
Hightower speaks about how people should take more
responsibility for their own lives and the quality of their communities. This can be
seen in his story about his dad creating the Little League for his
town.
However, he does not say that government has no place
in our society. After all, he talks about how his father was pleased to pay taxes for
practical things like a public library. The implicit message is that the common people
know what kinds of things are worth paying taxes for and which things
aren't.
Hightower is arguing that the regular people are
the good people of America (a very populist idea). They are charitable without being
ostentatious about it (wanting their name on a "granite wall"). They are generous with
their time and money for things that deserve it. They and their common sense are what
America needs.
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