So growing up, I had this idea that the American dream was about that if you put in an honest amount of work, you would be rewarded with a good life. This would mean you would be able to take care of yourself and your family, afford a car and a house. In my view, working one job would probably be enough.
Nowadays, I get the idea that the American dream has become about working your ass off in order to have a chance to become a millionaire. Somehow glorifying “the grind” appears to be a part of it too now.
The American dream has been slipping out of reach gradually since the 80s, but people just keep hoping real hard about it; poll done about a year ago shows that close to half of Americans think they’ll be billionaires one day.
Edit: The poll more accurately says nearly half of Americans think it’s possible they’ll be billionaires. Which is, for all practical purposes, no less wrong.
Aka people who don’t realize how much a billion dollars is and what you have to do to get it. That is, have rich parents, to start with.
What’s the difference between a Million and a Billion?
About a Billion
Which is more true by the year. Economic policy in the US and (to a slower extent) Europe has been shifting toward letting the rich horde wealth and away from new wealth being created, again since the 80s.
That’s actually insane. I’d love to see it broken down by party affiliation as well.
Interesting source, thanks!