American Dream
Susanna Barnes
The concept of the American Dream has been a trademark of the country for centuries, but it has recently been said that the idea has changed as time goes on. Authors Bob Herbert, Cal
Thomas, Paul Krugman and Karen Olsson give their views on what they think has happened to the American dream and how we as a people may bring the dream back. In his essay “Hiding from Reality,” Herbert claims that the American dream is a thing of the past. Thomas elaborates on this in his essay “Is the American Dream Over?” by placing the blame for the downfall, as well as suggested solutions. Krugman takes a deeper look at how equality has impaired the
American dream in his essay “Confronting Inequality.” In Olsson’s essay “Up Against WalMart,” she discusses the financial aspects influencing the American dream though her examples of Wal-Mart employees and the company itself.
Some might say that the biggest problem affecting the American dream idea is social inequality. Krugman discusses how market inequality negatively affects society. Along with that,
Thomas argues that the blame for the downward spiral of the American dream should go to the liberals who influence the government. Both Krugman and Olsson explain how inequality is present when discussing the topic of low wages, specifically minimum wage. Olsson gives a specific example of low pay though Wal-Mart employees. These men and women are overworked and underpaid because this huge company is able to get way with understaffing and low pay. Along with this, the policies of Wal-Mart are strictly against any form of union efforts.
If a worker attempts to organize any kind of retaliation, they are quickly punished and are usually left unemployed. Through these examples, it is clear to see how inequality is repressing the American dream.
Another aspect in the fading away of the American dream is the problem of money.
Herbert shares the example of how America spends money it doesn’t have, to finance wars. As a
result,
The concept of the American Dream has been a trademark of the country for centuries, but it has recently been said that the idea has changed as time goes on. Authors Bob Herbert, Cal
Thomas, Paul Krugman and Karen Olsson give their views on what they think has happened to the American dream and how we as a people may bring the dream back. In his essay “Hiding from Reality,” Herbert claims that the American dream is a thing of the past. Thomas elaborates on this in his essay “Is the American Dream Over?” by placing the blame for the downfall, as well as suggested solutions. Krugman takes a deeper look at how equality has impaired the
American dream in his essay “Confronting Inequality.” In Olsson’s essay “Up Against WalMart,” she discusses the financial aspects influencing the American dream though her examples of Wal-Mart employees and the company itself.
Some might say that the biggest problem affecting the American dream idea is social inequality. Krugman discusses how market inequality negatively affects society. Along with that,
Thomas argues that the blame for the downward spiral of the American dream should go to the liberals who influence the government. Both Krugman and Olsson explain how inequality is present when discussing the topic of low wages, specifically minimum wage. Olsson gives a specific example of low pay though Wal-Mart employees. These men and women are overworked and underpaid because this huge company is able to get way with understaffing and low pay. Along with this, the policies of Wal-Mart are strictly against any form of union efforts.
If a worker attempts to organize any kind of retaliation, they are quickly punished and are usually left unemployed. Through these examples, it is clear to see how inequality is repressing the American dream.
Another aspect in the fading away of the American dream is the problem of money.
Herbert shares the example of how America spends money it doesn’t have, to finance wars. As a
result,