Final answer:
It is true that most national leaders in the U.S. hail from the upper and upper-middle classes, with wealth and education playing a considerable role in stratifying political power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most national leaders in the U.S. come from the upper and upper-middle classes is true. In the upper echelons of the working world, those with the most power and decision-making capabilities are often from the upper class, which makes up only 1 percent of the population but owns about one-third of the country's wealth. This socioeconomic group has the means to engage in exclusive activities and enjoy luxurious lifestyles that are out of reach for the majority of the population.
Furthermore, political power tends to be stratified through income and education, with wealthier and more educated individuals being more likely to vote and hold political positions. For example, both candidates in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, John Kerry and George W. Bush, were Yale University alumni, millionaires, and came from politically active families, illustrating the trend of upper-class dominance in national leadership roles.
The concept of the Cult of Domesticity and the notion of separate spheres did indeed allow the American middle class to distinguish themselves from the working class, asserting a sense of superiority. However, despite these class distinctions, the middle class faces challenges, including a shrinking percentage of the population and declining wealth shares over the years.