"The American Dream" is just a myth we tell ourselves

[Fireball]

Not a myth for me. I'm not sure what the "American Dream" should look like, but even through some nasty health issues and bad stretches of employment, I was able to retire at 62 and am still basically healthy, and have enough resources to live comfortably, and do pretty much what I want. What I want isn't all that much, really, so that probably helps.

[brewer]

They certainly did for me.

I doubt that

Why?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Not a myth for me. I'm not sure what the "American Dream" should look like, but even through some nasty health issues and bad stretches of employment, I was able to retire at 62 and am still basically healthy, and have enough resources to live comfortably, and do pretty much what I want. What I want isn't all that much, really, so that probably helps.

I retired at 38.

[Amarok]

I doubt that

Why?

Because I don't see a reason why it's true

[brewer]

Why?

Because I don't see a reason why it's true

I enjoyed my work (50 to 60 hrs a week), found it very fulfilling, enriched my life and others and ended up with a very comfy life retiring at age 54.

[EgoDeath]

Bullshit. The American Dream is alive and well. You can work hard and get ahead (or work the system and get ahead) or choose to be a loser and never strive for anything. There's plenty of in between. But your life is what you make it. Sure, there's plenty of factors you can't control and never will be able to control. But statistically, I'm supposed to be dead, in prison or living a some run down trailer park right now. I come from poverty. I worked my way out of it and I promise you I'm not smarter than the average bear.

People who say shit like "it's impossible to get ahead" are usually fucking losers through and through. They'll tell you "it's impossible to get ahead" while wasting hundreds of dollars a month on cigarettes, alcohol, snacks, junk food, fast food, etc. Sure, plenty of people are in terrible circumstances that they had nothing to do with creating. But even plenty of those people can get out of it it they try hard enough.

You are so right, brotha. Within every failed person you will find a belly full of fast food and a lung full of tobacco tar. Thanks for figuring out the formula for all of us. We were wondering why there is so much poverty in the world and you figured it out. Cigs and fast food. Good for you.

I've been on both sides of the coin. I lived in a city where I made 60K a year, smoked cigs, and munched on fast food and did pretty okay for myself. And I've also lived in an area where I made not even half that, and despite the fact that I cut back on cigs and fast food... I still failed to make it. Not to question your infinite wisdom or anything... but perhaps other factors were at play.

I think you know what I meant. But okay, run with that stupidly over-simplified version of my argument if that makes you feel better.