A quick belated thank you: I just returned home from a busy day with the family, complete with Super Bowl festivities, and decided to jump on here to read a bit and see if I had got any more responses to this. I'm humbled to see that it was rescued, hit the rec list, and resulted in a number of very interesting/informative comments. I apologize for not being around to chat with you all, as I honestly expected little when I threw it on here this morning. Please know that I sincerely appreciate the feedback and participation.
I've heard it a thousand times. At least. The American Dream amounts to an opportunity to succeed. I've heard the President say it: "If you work hard and do the right thing, you will have...". You know the rest. Of course, the President also says this dream is dying or, at the very least, deteriorating quite rapidly. We regularly hear the Republican response to this, over whispered murmurs of communism and socialism, that the government can not help one achieve this dream. Rather, one must "Pick himself up by his bootstraps". You know, if you aren't too lazy or feeling too entitled then the American Dream is waiting for you and the government has no place in helping you attain it.
Most here understand the ridiculous nature of this meme. However, it is sometimes difficult to find a story to disprove it. I've heard decent people repeat the same talking points about how folks can't find work because they're lazy. If people only tried harder, they wouldn't need progressive policies in the government to help. I've been fortunate to become knowledgeable enough to rebut these claims and explain how our growing income inequality makes moving in the progressive direction not only desirable but critical for the future economic and social health of this nation. Unfortunately, I've also had a front row seat to what the death of the American Dream would look like and felt how close to the precipice we've crept. Thus, I've returned to Kos to write a single diary through which I hope to share my perspective.
You'll understand my hesitance to diary or even comment often when you read the direction I hope my career takes. Political neutrality is particularly important for a person in my field. However, providing a glimpse into the heart of America's youth and their prospects for gainful employment is, I have decided, even more important.
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