Sunday, June 10, 2012

America in the 21st Century

Here is a depressing story about how America is no longer the land of opportunity.

We tend to live in the same social status that we were born in because of the income inequality in this country these days. There is not much upward mobility. Only eight per cent of the students in our elite schools come from the bottom half in income.

Pretty provocative and depressing stuff. Not the fun, sexy stuff I usually like to write about but I think it is worth a read.

Here is the link:

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/american-dream-myth-joseph-stiglitz-price-inequality-124338674.html

FD

10 comments:

  1. I very interesting article with a definite ring of truth behind it.
    Where I work it has been six years going on seven with no one getting a raise, yet they tell everyone they should be happy to have a job.
    Now they are talking about saving money by going to a new health insurance plan which would cost us more out of pocket. Yet the ones that make those decisions do not pay a penny out of pocket for their benefits.

    The rift he speaks of has been happening for some time, it has just gained more notice since the economic problems.

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    1. Yes, it has been going on for some time and the American standard of living has risen lately except for the top 1 per cent or top 0.01 per cent.

      FD

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  2. I live much the same way I grew up. Take away the abuse of course. Dragon would never hurt me but income wise, comparable. I think most people have a comfort zone. I wouldn't be happy in a high stress job wearing a business suit all day. I'll take EMS and the crappy pay that goes with it any day over a mahogany desk and heels.

    I had my American dream and will have it again when Dragon finds a job. The market place is a tuff place when you are starting over at his age.

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    1. Good luck on him finding a job. Tough time to be without one.

      FD

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  3. I would certainly concur. We are not to question or seek to have more opportunity for advancement. When the wealthiest see no difference in income, insurance etc. We are told to tighten our belts and sacrifice just to have a job. We are being brainwashed to just except our lot in life. Big companies can take away pensions, declare bankruptcy, 'recover' and not have to meet any of their previous obligations.
    Sorry for the rant!
    Minelle

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    1. Don't apologize for the rant. It was right on.

      FD

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  4. I don't want to get revved up so suffice it to say I concur with the above.

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    1. Good to hear you concur although you can get revved up any time.

      FD

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  5. My entire teaching career was spent in schools with a high percentage of low income/welfare families. As the years progressed the percentage continued to creeped up. I remember a child saying to me, "I'm always gonna be poor, ain't no use going to school."

    Ruby Payne has a wonderful book, "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" and how it relates to education. She documents the lack of upward mobility.

    The division between the have and have nots is becoming much wider. If history has told us anything, countries with high inequality between "social classes' become ripe for revolution.
    I pray that doesn't happen here.

    Thanks for sharing
    Joyce

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    1. So sad to hear kids making comments like that and feeling they are left out at a young age.

      FD

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