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That's just Instagram. The american dream, which is to be a company man and work the same job til youre 65 and live in a house with a nice yard and 2 cars and all that is still around, it's just out of reach for most people whereas it wasn't a generation or two ago.
I think the American dream implied that if you put in honest hard work you could be successful.
I found that personally true for myself, transcending from low income to being a millionaire in my 30s. But I know that it has not worked out for some.
Factors that complicated this are numerous. Some are obvious such as the globalizing economy, as well as the increased deviousness of the ultra wealthy in their ability to influence public policy.
One factor I feel like we don't discuss enough is just the heightened potency and addictiveness that we are able to market and manufacture products. It's so targeted now that to me it seems that we are preying on the low income and draining them of their wealth by convincing them to spend money frivolously.
The last sentence, I think youre right. Well, not "we" I'm not, but some people are.
When politicians talk about stimulating the economy, stimulating spending, that's what they're talking about: incentivize everyone to blow their money and save nothing. Then when it's time to get elected they say things like "most people can't afford a $500 emergency without going into debt!"