Is The Economic Dream Still Achievable

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For more than two centuries the potential for upward economic mobility has formed the basis upon which the American story originates. The prospect of upward mobility in America inspired foreigners to seek American shores. From the hopes of the earliest settlers to the aspirations of today's diverse population, the American Dream unites Americans in a common quest for individual and national success. However, new data suggests that this once solid ground may well be shifting. This raises questions about the ability of all Americans to move up the economic ladder and begs the question of whether the American economic dream is still achievable. Recent studies suggest that there is less economic mobility in the United States than has long been presumed. The last thirty years has seen a big drop-off in median household income growth compared to earlier generations. By some measurements we are actually a less …show more content…

All three of those being necessary in order to climb the economic ladder. Without having to work for anything, why should Americans care about economic mobility? This is a serious issue, and it could be argued that the laziness this type of thought process creates is trapping families into Government dependence. David Muhlhausen and Patrick Tyrrell addressed this in an article they wrote for Heritage.org: “America is increasingly moving away from a nation of self-reliant individuals, where civil society flourishes, toward a nation of individuals less inclined to practicing self-reliance and personal responsibility. Government programs not only crowd out civil society, but too frequently trap individuals and families in long-term dependence, leaving them incapable of escaping their condition for generations to

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