How to Reclaim the American Dream

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Thank you Mr. Rick Newmann for this insightful perspective. I am 26 and college educated female whom has been laid off since early 2011. I have not had the opportunity to work and stay in one business environment yet. I will continue to seek work though.
The current United States business and cultural environment is extremely challenging. However, we can not remain discouraged. Changing our perspectives and general habits as you have mentioned may facilitate on our sanity. Aspiring the traditional American Dream at this point in time is not realistic for most and me personally. I will try to remain hopeful on obtaining a job and implement the excellent habits as you have suggested in the near future.

Mallory of New York 22 of NY 7:21PM January 18, 2012

The government can't afford to keep giving because it's been giving to the wrong people for 30 years or more.
DEPORTATION WITHOUT REASONIZATION will fix everything. Deport 20 million people that have been here 10 years or less. That will free up billions in government spending. It will free up jobs for real Americans that have been here their whole life and whose parents have been here their whole life. We are the people paying ridiculous taxes so that our government can spend it on people that should never have been allowed in the country in the first place. It's not a racist thing, it's a common sense thing. THE COUNTRY CAN'T SUSTAIN ITSELF AND CAN"T AFFORD THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING HERE NOW. THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS THAT HAS BEEN HERE ALL IT'S LIFE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE BIG BUSINESS NEEDS MORE SHOPPERS AND CHEAPER HELP. AMERICA IS BEING SUFFOCATED. We don't want a stupider poorer America. There is enough countries out there like that already.

Stevensin of NY 1:26PM January 17, 2012

Comments make sense but what would you say to someone who followed all of your advice and got nowhere? The reason the American dream is moribund is because you can work hard, study and struggle and end up in poverty and worse off then before.
After earning three degrees and working like a dog for 10 years I left the country to pursue opportunities overseas.
The real problem in the US is the terrible work culture of abuse by employers and the lack of corporate safety net. Expect this to get worse with globalisation, not better.
Finally, minimum standards and investment by government in things like vacation (sorry 10 days is a recipe for disaster) and healthcare (getting sick with no insurance is the kiss of death) and childcare would do a lot to improve the lot of the common worker and avoid needless burnout.

abc 6:35PM January 08, 2012

Rick... very good article. Some of this Ive been saying for years... and often laughed at. I do so feel vindicated. Surley most of what your saying applys to me directly... I am a bit of a renegade... having had to keep on the move in order to maintain a lifestyle of moderation.... but most find my way of life a bit out of touch... meaning I dont have 6 kids... a dog... three car garage. I may need to maintain this artical to refer too from time to time... once again... Very good.

Robert Yarush 10:32AM January 08, 2012