> How is this even the least bit surprising to anyone? We are told or taught that the US is a land of opportunity and meritocracy. One of our great myths is th

> How is this even the least bit surprising to anyone? We are told or taught that the US is a land of opportunity and meritocracy. One of our great myths is that bloodline doesn't matter. It goes back to our founders and the fact that we fought against a bloodline royalty. This is what I was taught from kindergarten onwards. That america was special and exceptional. We didn't have royalty. Doesn't matter who your father was, we are all "kings" and equal. But you leave school and join the real world and you realize all of that was nonsense. Your success in life has more to do with who your parents are than anything else. George Bush with a C average is far better off than the valedictorian. Ultimately, we aren't as special or different than any other nation. I think this fact is surprising to most americans because we are taught something entirely different from the first day of school.