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"suppress labor" and "preserve the capitalist status quo" seem to be completely antithetical goals. And really, I disagree. The American Dream to me is the sim
by aroman 13y ago
"suppress labor" and "preserve the capitalist status quo" seem to be completely antithetical goals.
And really, I disagree. The American Dream to me is the simple idea that if you work hard, you can climb the social ladder. This is as true now as it ever has been.
There are no castes in America, only people born into classes of varying privilege. For some people, therefore, the American Dream is attainable more easily than others — but that doesn't mean it's a myth.
- EliRivers 13y agoThis is as true now as it ever has been. Whilst it is true that one can climb the social ladder, it is much harder now than it was. To simply say it is true/false is to ignore that it's significantly harder now than it was. It has always been true that the strongest indicator of success is how rich one's parents are; it's more true now.
- aroman 13y agoThat is precisely my point.
- enraged_camel 13y ago>>And really, I disagree. The American Dream to me is the simple idea that if you work hard, you can climb the social ladder. This is as true now as it ever has been. Not true anymore. The astronomical rise in income inequality has also resulted in a sharp result in social mobility (what you call "climbing the social ladder). http://www.brookings.edu/about/projects/bpea/latest-conference/2013-spring-permanent-inequality-panousi http://www.brookings.edu/about/projects/bpea/latest-conferen...
- wffurr 13y agoThat very idea that it's only hard work on an individual level that deteremines one's success is the central myth perpetuated by capitalists to suppress labor and prevent a more equal society. It is not true now, and it has never been true. Circumstance and privilege, here as elsewhere, has always been a major factor in one's success. If you think otherwise, you haven't been paying attention to the distribution of wealth in America.