Do you hate and reject The American Dream?

[Dargil]

My gang of contrarians here (you know who you are) will throw feces at it like monkeys do in a zoo. But here it is.

The term was first coined by American historian James Truslow Adams. He defined it this way:
That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement … It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.

The American Dream has been rejected by the Left since the 1990s, in part, because Progressive Democrats switched their focus from transferring wealth from the rich to ordinary Americans to virtue signaling about transferring “equity” (equal outcomes) from ordinary American citizens to migrants, racial minorities, and sexual deviants: Not by merit, but by moral obligation and consequent entitlement.

From this, they usurp wealth and power. They also attack the family-centered American Dream to push their alternative government-enforced dream of civil rights and diversities within a “Nation of Immigrants.” Which do you want? You get to decide on November 5th. For me, I'm going MAGA (restoration of The American Dream) and I'm voting for The Felon.

[Makeushiver]

Thanks for that bit of information. The only tangible thing I've heard in re. " The American Dream" is home ownership. I'm no longer sure if this is realistic since a modest home where I live can easily cost over $1,000,000. I have owned a couple and have realized how much the tax code is designed to encourage home ownership. While I was paying off a 30 year mortgage my monthly payment went from being something I considered expensive to lower than people were paying to rent a 2 BR apt. Given the tax deductions on mortgage interest and property tax it allows you to deduct those expenses which, in turn, allows you to take many other deductions not available to renters because the minimum required for itemization is too high w/o the big numbers available owning real estate. Ownership of anything that is expensive enough to require savings and prudence with expenses, it also gives the person or family a valid reason to keep the neighborhood and property well maintained which keeps crap like vandalism, graffiti, and overall slovenliness down. Now that the level of home ownership is under 50% for the first time in a long time makes me wonder why renters have put up with the imbalance in income tax rewards. Given that real estate is probably the most secure way to accumulate wealth over time it has a much more powerful incentive to lobby legislatures to keep the status quo

[DrPepper12]

It's not under 50%. Not even close! Since 1945, the highest recorded homeownership rate in the United States was 69.2% in 2004. The lowest rate since the U. S. Census Bureau began tracking in 1965 was less than 63%. This low point was reached in the years following the housing market collapse, which significantly impacted homeownership rates.

I think another part of the American dream at least initially was to have one wage earner and traditionally the woman stay home. But you are correct home ownership is the Holy grail of the American dream.

Also, approximately 8.5% of American homes are valued at $1 million or more. Depending upon the city though it can be as high as 40% in places like San Francisco New York and I believe Dallas or Austin.

[molonski2]

The reason you dont hear about it in other countries is because they dont have the same opportunities , had Europe grown at the rate of the USA as a block , they would have vastly better lives overall , you are probably too young to appreciate the brilliance of the American system , Warren Buffet votes Democrat , you wouldn't get too many people wort 90 Billion doing that , and this is the wonder thing about the USA.
I was born a male in Australia , had I be born in USA and performed to the same level in business , my net worth quite seriously be x 10 .. That's the dream , and thats because its Completely REAL.
And I've still done well , but Australia is a sleepy country town compared to the innovation in USA , the system allows , just look to the magnificent 7 , how much wealth have they created?
My Nephew has worked for Microsoft for 25 years , and grew up in an Aussie country town - Big money ! That's creation , and that's the dream , its real , it still is real.

[BadApple69]

I lived the American dream… own 2 houses, multiple cars and a few boats… traveled the world…. I am not a stock broker or hedge fund guy…. I am an engineer and I worked hard and long to get what I have. Socialism/ communism will never give you this… only hard work and the American dream can!


Don’t vote for socialism this November.

[Dargil]

***tips hat***

[BadApple69]

@Dargil thank you!
The truth is, I did nothing special at all… everyone can do it. I got a decent education (not from a great collage… a mediocre one at best) , and worked 2 jobs most my life. Not ideal but I wanted things.

[DrPepper12]

Apparently you missed out on a proper civics education since you equate communism and socialism.

I too have far surpassed my family circumstances and wealth and as George Carlin said "They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it".

Enjoy your nap! 😴

[BadApple69]

@DrPepper12 maybe you missed out on a proper LIFE education. Socialism always leads into communism.
In case you aren’t aware the WEF (which the left in this country love) say: by a certain date (not sure what that date was) you will own nothing and you’ll be happy…. Burnie sanders has talked about the government taking ownership of some businesses. The left constantly grow the government. Why? Because they want everything you get, everything you need to be from the government. So you will work, no need for money (the left are trying to get rid of money already) and the government will give you housing, and food. WELCOME TO SLAVERY!
If you don’t see how this all turns into communism then you are just not looking. Ask anyone who has come from a communist country, this is how it starts.

[DrPepper12]

What's it like to be fearful and conspiracist all the time? Must be tiring...

[BadApple69]

@DrPepper12 what’s it like being uninformed of the world around you…. I guess ignorance is bliss.

[DrPepper12]

Yeah the communism of the Low Countries and Scandanavia is oppressive... Grow up

[Dargil]

@DrPepper12 socialism is having the dick halfway in. Communism is all the way.

[Lliam]

I believe in the American dream. Republican neoconservatives and Democrat neoliberals (two sides of the same coin) have been making it much harder since the 1990s, but it is still something to strive for.
It's up to the American citizens to make it happen by protesting corruption and demanding justice.

[Dongie]

That's exactly right.
1990s

[Kaneki05]

The America dream has always been a lie. And it's funny how America is the only one that pretends it exists and people believe it.
You don't hear anything about other countries have such dream.

[Dargil]

***yawn"""

[DrPepper12]

Again the "poorly educated" worship at the altar of ignorance and self delusion. @Kaneki05.

[molonski2]

The reason you dont hear about it in other countries is because they dont have the same opportunities , had Europe grown at the rate of the USA as a block , they would have vastly better lives overall , you are probably too young to appreciate the brilliance of the American system , Warren Buffet votes Democrat , you wouldn't get too many people wort 90 Billion doing that , and this is the wonder thing about the USA.
I was born a male in Australia , had I be born in USA and performed to the same level in business , my net worth quite seriously be x 10 .. Thats the dream , and thats because its REAL.
And I've still done well , but Australia is a sleepy country town compared to the innovation in USA , the system allows , just look to the magnificent 7 , how much wealth have they created?
My Nephew has worked for Micrsoft for 25 years , and grew up in an Aussie country town - Big money ! Thats creation , and thats the dream , its real , it still is real.

[Kaneki05]

@molonski2 US ain't even in the top 15 of the safest countries and for the grand dream you would hope to be safe right?
But for whatever reason America just likes to turn a blind eye to everything wrong within it's society and pretend it's special somehow, nothing is that bad right?
Don't believe me? Just look at the rise in gun crime, and drugs addictions, diabetes, cancer etc.
If that's your opinion of a great American dream then by all means go there and indulge in it.

And then let's look at the past? Are you talking about how great America was when it was funded by slavery? Yeah cause that's a good thing not. Or how about when the Mafia moved in and prohibition was around. And how about when unemployment rates was at all times highs in the past? Such a great a dream.

Too young? My age has nothing to do with been able to do simple history lessons, and look up statistics. That's the best part it's all factual, while the dream is a belief deluded by ignoring such societal issues.

[molonski2]

hahahaha , I didn't say everything was perfect..
USA has outperformed Europe economically x 100 fold , that's the dream " making something from nothing " eccomo, ic success.
There is no socialist Euforia.

[Dargil]

Not for me. I live it.

[DrPepper12]

Apparently you missed out on a proper civics education since you equate communism and socialism.

I too have far surpassed my family circumstances and wealth and as George Carlin said "They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it".

Enjoy your nap! 😴

[lorenzomichael]

I’m living it. Im married married., I’m buying my house, I own three cars, I have a daughter in college that I’m paying for. I have two dogs, one cat, a swimming pool I never get into. and I’ll work until I can’t work no more then I’ll retire. So no I don’t hate the dream I’m living it.

[shortster]

The left doesn't go after the rich; just people trying to become rich. They don't care about old money; just new money.

[DrPepper12]

You are woefully misinformed. Harris' plan to tax unrealized gains strikes at the heart of old money.

[shortster]

https://youtu.be/iGLXMKUWkJE?feature=shared

[DrPepper12]

I don't click links. Post an article.

[shortster]

Taxing unrealized gains will destroy the middle class. How am I supposed to raise the money to pay for the taxes on the increased value of my house? I got a cash offer for three times just last month what I paid for it (with a 30 year mortgage). I have only been here for 11 years and haven't repaid the mortgage. So now I have to come up with taxes on my properties increased value on top of the property taxes that I have been paying every year? There is no tax plan under the sun that has ever been created to destroy old money that doesn't first destroy the wealth of people moving up in the world.

[shortster]

It is a short YouTube video of a clip from Futurama.

[DrPepper12]

Doesn't include real estate bruh

[shortster]

You think that makes a difference? What do 90+% of working class Americans have? A 401K, and that is full of stocks and bonds. So the government is going to tax their retirement plans. Imagine how happy people are going to be to pay taxes on their investments. Plus if everything is taxed but real estate; you think that rich people wouldn't sell off their other assets and buy up real estate?

[DrPepper12]

Doesn't include 401ks

[shortster]

So it includes what, trading cards? Because you don't include real estate or stocks? There isn't much else that has unrealized gains. Certainly not much that the majority of people use, rich or otherwise.

[DrPepper12]

1% of Americans own 50% of all stocks and your worried about unrealized gains on assets over $1 mil?

You must have some mattress for your largesse...

[shortster]

I don't put money under my mattress. What I care about is dumb taxes that penalize people for investing and will destroy the economy, destroy upward mobility, and not even come close to going after their supposed targets. Nevermind the idea of taxing rich people because they are rich is the most unamerican thing I have ever heard. If you are unhappy with the size of your piece of pie; go out and bake more pies. Don't wish the government to take someone else's pie and hope they redistribute some of it to you. Because what will happen is only the government will be eating pie. Capitalism isn't a zero sum game; but communism and socialism are.

[DrPepper12]

So you oppose progressive taxation?

[shortster]

Of course, the only fair tax is a flat tax. And it shouldn't exceed 5%.

[DrPepper12]

Grover norquist was a. Idiot with insane ideas. 5% will collapse the feds first & states soon after. 🙄

[shortster]

At a flat 5% tax the economy will go gang busters driving up tax revenues to offset the cut in the percentage.

[DrPepper12]

Trickle down doesn't work The past 45 years have proven that. The only thing that's trickling down is the Republicans pissing on us and telling us it's raining!!

[Dargil]

@DrPepper12 once they create a rule, they will change it Democrats.

[Dargil]

@DrPepper12 Trickle down doesn't exist. Supply side does. Ask the Chinese.

[shortster]

Just because you don't understand how trickle down economics work; doesn't mean it doesn't work.

[Curmudgeon]

Well, THEY hate and reject the American Dream, and they have worked to ruin it for us. And it's not a "forgive them, for they know not what they do." They DO know they are ruining it, and they LIKE that.

[DrPepper12]

They who?

[Snakeyes7]

The more we move away from our current economic system to a marxist one, the American Dream will go with it, as under Marxism, being rich is bad no matter how you got there,

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The American dream is more of a fantasy.

Sounds very good in theory but nearly impossible to live without dying of stress and pressure.

[Maybeyoutoo]

The American dream is over. The Italian dream begins.

[Dargil]

Please, stay there.

[DrPepper12]

Italians will be non existent in 4 generations with their 1.1 birth rate.

[exitseven]

No, I still believe in it.

[Grond21]

I'm right there with you buddy

[noohair]

I love my country, I tolerate my government.

[Oncewildtwiceburned]

@noohair I hate the government and tolerate my country

[noohair]

@Oncewildtwiceburned I try to not hate anything.

[Oncewildtwiceburned]

You sir are a good man

[Dongie]

I hate everything

[DrPepper12]

That's not true! You love America!

[Dongie]

I know. I have my moods.