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Forum Post: You might ask: Why America is so special?

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 14, 2011, 10:08 p.m. EST by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

It is special because this thing called the "American Dream" exists and their are plenty of citizens of this great nation that took advantage of this and turned poverty into riches. You can say these people were in the 99% a term thrown around so much these days. But from this 99% the 1% is born, everyone in this world can make it to that 1%. It is up to you to strive in everything that you do to climb that ladder of hard work and determination to get that level of success and wealth. You can do it but you must start at the bottom like those before you have. Do not dwell in this hole but dig yourself out of it and become one who makes a difference and one a young person would want to become one day. Thank you America

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19 Comments


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[-] 3 points by GeneralPatton (2) 12 years ago

The problem with this movement is that ANY good American would agree that there needs to be a change in the way my government works for. I believe that corporate America has a stranglehold on the way our democracy works. It exploits the American public for what it's worth and alienates it when their use has run out OR it is more profitable to outsource jobs and materials to 3rd world nations. When the people's ability to participate in unregulated government begins to fail them, then we as a democratic republic begin to fail. Democracy falls and gives way to tyranny and an oligarchy of the few. If it means there needs to be a public outcry and revolution in order to fix things, "...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth", then so be it.

The difference between the American Patriot and these protestors-- these 99%-- is that we not only see and recognize what the government did wrong, but also what WE AS A NATION did wrong. We allowed this to happen. We, as a consumer oriented society, allowed these weeds into our democracy and hollow out our American ideals, for the sake of purchasing household products for pennies on the dollar less. We were wrong. If we truly want to fix this, then we need change the way we live our daily lives. Only if we change the way we live at our core can we begin to change society as a whole. If that means purchasing American goods for a couple dollars more, then fine. If it means getting off unemployment and welfare, stealing from ourselves, and reinvigorating our economy by virtue of working industrial jobs (perhaps menial labor, to some) and taking the money we have and continuing to invest it in American companies and businesses that, in turn, contribute back to the society without needing to lobby in congress and in Washington, then fine. And if that, God willing, turns into laws that prohibit Lobbying by corporations altogether, then we will be better for it. Democracy should not be inhibited by our economy. They should help each other grow as a whole, not hinder one another's growth.

I believe in the American dream-- the idea of making your own way in this country and enjoying the luxuries that our nation affords us, but not at the expense of those who are still in the lower tiers of that ladder, nor for the benefit of those who abuse the system. That dream involves work. It is not a free dream. It is only for those who pay the price in their blood, sweat, and tears. And by no means is this an easy dream to have. You need to want it. It is not a dream that is deserved by virtue of being born here. It is earned by the life you live here....

So, I say to the OccupyWallStreeters: What have you done to EARN the American dream?

[-] 3 points by KirkVanHouten (123) 12 years ago

Well said. Note that the top 1% of earners in America is not a static group. The 1% changes constantly as many climb in and many slip out. I'd like to be in the 1% some day, even if the .001% are still camping in Zuccotti Park and cursing their class enemies.

[-] 1 points by itsybitsycheater (38) from Center Valley, PA 12 years ago

Bravo!

[-] 1 points by armyisamerica (1) 12 years ago

ya'll nigguhs gay!!!! ..... go west point sink navy and beat airforce

[-] 1 points by GeneralPatton (2) 12 years ago

The American Dream is dying. Replaced by corporate greed and a youth who under values the luxury of life we feel. It makes me sick to see the demands that this movement has placed on their agenda. They demand more of their government and shirk their own personal responsibilities to contribute to society. The want more benefits (increased Social security, higher pay, universal healthcare) for less work (less hour work weeks, more vacation, lower retirement age).

Let's take a look at these demands, shall we?

Ban private land ownership? "All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and property." It's the foundation of our government.

Ban private ownership of firearms? 2nd Amendment. It's in the Constitution if you've ever heard of it, although I severely doubt that you have.

End the War on Drugs?-- The unregulated distribution of narcotics leads to increased risk of civil disobedience, as well as severe increases in the number of accidental death.

Make homeschooling illegal. Religious fanatics use it to feed their children propaganda? What about the people with disabilities who can not learn in a traditional school setting, or the parents who can not afford a proper education for their children?

Reduce the age of majority to 16? Because a 16 year old is SIGNIFICANTLY more responsible than an 18 year old....A 16 year old, regardless of how mature they think they are, has no idea how the real world actually works, politically or militarily. More over, that age limit was placed for the protection of the youth so that they can not be legally contracted and swindled by companies and debtors. Oh-- That also means that you also decrease the Selective Service age to 16-- you're next war will be fought by kids. Good luck with that...

No debt limit? -- Infinite spending by the government = Inflation / devaluing of currency = increased foreign debt = global financial crisis.

Negative Income Tax at the Expense of the rich?-- That's right. Punish the hard working Americans who have spent their lives working to make their way in this world. And just give a hand out to the people who choose not to work and piggyback off of the government through welfare. I'll cede that there is a legitimate need for welfare for the poor and people who can't afford certain basic necessities to sustain life, but there are too many abusers of the system that make it a burden for the taxpaying citizens who are actually financing this system.

Immediate internal debt forgiveness? That's how the American economy falls apart. If we can't pay the countries that we owe money to, then we become their slaves. If you couldn't pay these loans and massive debts you've incurred, then why did you take them in the first place?!

Pass stricter campaign finance reform laws?---- Well-- this one I will actually agree with. Statistically, campaigns with more money win election. There needs to be a way to regulate how this money is given to candidates, as party donations leads to bribery for government contracts and corruption by politicians.

[-] 2 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

The American Dream is still alive it just takes a lot of work to achieve, a lot more work then today's average american wants to preform and sacrifice to reach

[-] 2 points by Joyce (375) 12 years ago

Well done.

[-] 1 points by GeneralPatton (2) 12 years ago

Part 2 posted above. Enjoy

[-] 0 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

The one fallacy in the whole conservative educational argument (which, incidentally is ME) is that the cost of education in this country is RIDICULOUS, while simultaneously the bar as the license to pursue, is continuously raised.

You can't expect those with a desire to teach children to incur a debt of 100,000 plus in obtaining a Masters degree, or essentially the equivalent of a 30 year mortgage, to be happy. It's RIDICULOUS. Especially in the light of the billions of dollars that members of Congress STEAL from the American taxpayer.

The educational establishment demands these dollars; they have to borrow this money to get this education, and in my opinion, all should default on their loans (well, if Congress would allow them; it does not). It's simply "justice."

[-] 1 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

You are right the cost is too high. This is because of the miss conception of the need for everyone to receive a college degree. As one of my friends brought to my attention the other day is the fact that this country was built upon a high school education. The inflated number of people receiving a college degree is causing its importance to be knocked down to what a high school diploma once was in this country. This is introducing the need for perusing a masters to stand above the crowd. The importance of trade schools should also be brought out one again to their very important role in our work force. Plenty of people are graduating with a college "degree" from what they thought was a prominent university and remaining jobless. Every one is chasing a white collar job in today's society as the number of blue collar workers diminish creating a larger demand for them. This is shown in the increasing salaries of many specialty blue collar jobs such as welding because the working are becoming so much rarer to find as their need is becoming much greater.

[-] 1 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

It they want to teach the the first grade, indeed any grade, a Masters degree is required. The minimum cost of obtaining that Masters is at least 75,000. More often it's in the 100 plus range; the parents don't have the ability to hand each of their children 100,000 and the kids have no ability at all.

Education is big business; so is the financing of that business. And I don't think it is at all fair to children.

Any junior high school student is capable of teaching the first grade. Such requirements are just RIDICULOUS.

[-] 2 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Its the truth I agree with that 100% most job requirements today are unbelievable. This is not something created by the government but by society as a whole. People have the miss conception that you must be a college graduate to be successful and because of this jobs have set requirements for one because it is socially necessary so that job will be seen as above others.

[-] 0 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

In reference to public education it is the government; it's become a political institution - the "educational establishment" - with the ability to not only influence the local district but colleges, universities, even Congress itself.

[-] 1 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

The separation from public and private education must be made. The costs are also very different and both are privileges and not required. It is something that if you can afford, or work to afford, you can take part in it. It should not be free and does cost money to run such institutions.

[-] 0 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

I think what you're really trying to say is that public education should be separated from the state and fed and left to those who have children.

[-] 1 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

no it should be controlled by the state im just saying a college education is not required like an education through high school is

[-] 1 points by nucleus (3291) 12 years ago

Thank you Herman Cain.

"If You Don't Have A Job And You're Not Rich, Blame Yourself"

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[-] 0 points by UncleSam (8) from New York, NY 12 years ago

yes this is a non violent web page