Is the American Dream dead?

[SpudEmpire]

Is the American Dream dead? You know the old adage of success through hard work, doesn't seem to get you anywhere nowadays but a pile of lifelong debt. It worked for my parents when my father a penniless immigrant from Indonesia landed a job with the Postal Service and we managed to a decent middle class existence, say what you will about the Federal Government, but they sure provide a tool for upwards social mobility. That's why I hope to go the Fed route after my stint in the Army.

[Alyakia]

Yes.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Yes.

No.

[The Warrior Hearted]

ignoring the scatterbrain structure of your op, i say it isnt.

People can still move up in the world. The common man can, if he is willing to take the risk, move from being pennyless to rich. They have to be willing to risk it all and work there hands to the bone, but all it takes is one great invention or starting a successful bussiness to skyrocket up the social ladder.

Unfortunetly, especially in times like these, people are growing unwilling to take these risks. The dream isnt dead, but it has definetly grown lazy and afraid.

[Independent Mars (Ancient)]

No not yet.

[Sarkhaan]

The American Dream was a bit of propaganda in the first place, and never actually existed. At least, not for all Americans.

[Pacolandz]

Yes.

totally agree

[Genivaria]

The American Dream was a bit of propaganda in the first place, and never actually existed. At least, not for all Americans.

This.
The Rag to Riches story is a myth for the most part.

[Maurepas]

I think the American Dream died in 1988. That was when the last plot of land was given out under the Homestead Act.

Since its inception, the idea behind the "American Dream" was that you could leave Europe, where there was no land for the poor available, come to the United States, and the Government is literally handing out land, all you had to do was farm it and clear out the natives.

Now the government bails out the people who take your land away.

[Terra Superia]

Because the US hasn't an aristocracy, no. However the American Dream is more alive in other countries, who have even less of an aristocracy.

[Sarkhaan]

ignoring the scatterbrain structure of your op, i say it isnt.

People can still move up in the world. The common man can, if he is willing to take the risk, move from being pennyless to rich. They have to be willing to risk it all and work there hands to the bone, but all it takes is one great invention or starting a successful bussiness to skyrocket up the social ladder.

Unfortunetly, especially in times like these, people are growing unwilling to take these risks. The dream isnt dead, but it has definetly grown lazy and afraid.

Actually, social mobility is not only at one of its lowest points in history, but is also one of the lowest in the developed world.



Chart is from this article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-wal ... 11-10?op=1

[DaWoad]

Yes.

No.

maybe so?

[The corsair states]

Yes.

No.

^This

[Genivaria]

No.

maybe so?

Lobster?

[The Warrior Hearted]

ignoring the scatterbrain structure of your op, i say it isnt.

People can still move up in the world. The common man can, if he is willing to take the risk, move from being pennyless to rich. They have to be willing to risk it all and work there hands to the bone, but all it takes is one great invention or starting a successful bussiness to skyrocket up the social ladder.

Unfortunetly, especially in times like these, people are growing unwilling to take these risks. The dream isnt dead, but it has definetly grown lazy and afraid.

Actually, social mobility is not only at one of its lowest points in history, but is also one of the lowest in the developed world.



Chart is from this article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-wal ... 11-10?op=1

as has the probability of it moving down. People seem to have lost there desire to risk it all on a dream.

[California Bay Area]

The American dream could be one of two things . A state of mind in which it will never die
Or the common one which is to raise a family, have food to eat,have a good education and health care, own a home, and your child to have a better life. That is something that must be maintained and considering the out look of the nation you could say the dream has died but the dream can be resurrected and that is our hope.

[Sarkhaan]

I think the American Dream died in 1988. That was when the last plot of land was given out under the Homestead Act.

Since its inception, the idea behind the "American Dream" was that you could leave Europe, where there was no land for the poor available, come to the United States, and the Government is literally handing out land, all you had to do was farm it and clear out the natives.

Now the government bails out the people who take your land away.

If you were a man. And white. And from Western or Northern Europe. And not Irish.

[Tim-Opolis]

The American dream is dead.

[DaWoad]

maybe so?

Lobster?

"They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination."
(Leviticus 11:11)

[Terra Superia]

ignoring the scatterbrain structure of your op, i say it isnt.

People can still move up in the world. The common man can, if he is willing to take the risk, move from being pennyless to rich. They have to be willing to risk it all and work there hands to the bone, but all it takes is one great invention or starting a successful bussiness to skyrocket up the social ladder.

Unfortunetly, especially in times like these, people are growing unwilling to take these risks. The dream isnt dead, but it has definetly grown lazy and afraid.

Actually, social mobility is not only at one of its lowest points in history, but is also one of the lowest in the developed world.



Chart is from this article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-wal ... 11-10?op=1

Are you saying that social mobility in the 21st century is lower than in the 13th? I highly doubt it.

[Genivaria]

I think the American Dream died in 1988. That was when the last plot of land was given out under the Homestead Act.

Since its inception, the idea behind the "American Dream" was that you could leave Europe, where there was no land for the poor available, come to the United States, and the Government is literally handing out land, all you had to do was farm it and clear out the natives.

Now the government bails out the people who take your land away.

If you were a man. And white. And from Western or Northern Europe. And not Irish.

Or Catholic.

[Maurepas]

If you were a man. And white. And from Western or Northern Europe. And not Irish.

Or Catholic.

I didn't say it was an equal, good, or fair dream. I said I think I can pinpoint when it ended,

[Genivaria]

Lobster?

"They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination."
(Leviticus 11:11)

Meh, I don't seafood anyway.

[Lotrabme]

The American dream of Liberty is on its way spiraling to the ground, I find it neccesary to look and the government and see how it must be changed now for the future.


http://lotrabme.comule.com/

[The Black Forrest]

Dead? Maybe on life support.

The American Dream of my parents and grandparents is not the same. They thought there children would have it better. Many today think their children will have it harder then they did.

The old ways don't work as well. The economy wasn't global. Cheap labor is the rule. It doesn't always matter the quality.