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19 Apr The American Dream

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American Dream is believed to be achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.

The American Dream has been a central tenet of American society since the founding of the country. It has been credited with helping to build a strong and prosperous nation. However, in recent years, there has been growing concern that the American Dream is dying.

There are a number of factors that have been cited as contributing to the decline of the American Dream. These include:

• Income inequality: The gap between the rich and the poor in the United States has been growing for decades. In 2019, the top 1% of earners in the United States took home 20.9% of all income, while the bottom 50% of earners took home just 12.3%. This growing inequality makes it more difficult for people from low-income backgrounds to achieve the American Dream.
• The cost of living: The cost of living in the United States has been rising steadily for years. This has made it more difficult for people to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. As a result, many people are struggling to make ends meet and are unable to save money or invest in their future.
• Globalization: Globalization has led to the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs in the United States. These jobs have been moved overseas to countries with lower labor costs. This has made it more difficult for people to find good-paying jobs and has contributed to the decline of the middle class.
• The decline of unions: Unions have played a major role in protecting the rights of workers and ensuring that they are paid a fair wage. However, the number of union members in the United States has been declining for decades. This has made it more difficult for workers to negotiate for better pay and benefits.

The decline of the American Dream is a serious problem that has the potential to undermine the foundation of American society. If we want to keep the American Dream alive, we need to address the factors that are contributing to its decline. We need to raise the minimum wage, make college more affordable, and invest in infrastructure and education. We also need to strengthen unions and protect workers’ rights.