The American Fallacy

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George Carlin once said, “They call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t too far from the truth. This American Dream once suggested that hard work would pay off over time. The big house and shiny new car, albeit cliché and materialistic, were the goals through which the people of this country sought rigorous education and a decent salary. Now, with unemployment at an all time high and millions of Americans living below or on the poverty line, it’s difficult to determine whether the dream is to obtain these things or to simply “get by”. Throughout the years, the idea of the American Dream deteriorated amidst a variety of unfavorable socio-economic factors. Amongst these are a low morale, unequal opportunity, a widening gap between the rich and poor, decreased employment opportunity, and the rising cost of higher education. An economic tug of war is taking place in which approximately 40% of all American wealth belongs to 1% of the country’s population, leaving no middle ground. This small portion of wealthy Americans holds the highest concentration of wealth since the Gilded Age of the late nineteenth century. Controlling vast corporations and millions in stock investments, the aristocracy also possesses a large influence in the political realm (Davis). Numerous payments to lobbyists and political candidates provide easy access to policies that will protect their wealth, such as a progressive tax repeal. Many politicians sway their decisions in favor of the wealthy investors who backed their expensive campaigns. When just under half of Congress is composed of millionaires, it’s difficult for those who aren’t in that higher class to have a voice. Using their wealth as a resou... ... middle of paper ... ...3 Apr 2014. Gordon, Marcy. “Student Loans May Have a Negative Impact on the US Economy.” What is the Future of the US Economy? Ed. Ronald D. Lankford, Jr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. Form “Student Loands Sow Seeds of Economic Ills.” USA Today 30 Sept. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. Kaiser, Robert G. So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government. New York: Knopf, 2009. Print. Lach, Alex. "5 Facts About Overseas Outsourcing." Center for American Progress. N.p., 9 July 2012. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Martin, Patrick. “The US Population Is Increasingly Divided By Wealth.” What is the Future of the US Economy? Ed. Ronald D. Lankford, Jr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. From “Christmas of Crisis in America.” http://wsws.org. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.

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