What is your reaction to this poll suggesting the demise of the American Dream?

2015-05-12T12:07:10-04:00

Seven in 10 Americans believe that the next generation will be economically worse off -- and, therefore, almost certainly generally less well off -- than they are. The numbers from the Battleground Poll echo other data that has come out over the past few years that suggests a deep pessimism within the electorate about what sort of country they are leaving their children. The actual poll can be found at

http://mediarelations.gwu.edu/battleground-poll

What are your thoughts on the findings of this poll? Do you think the next generation will be economically worse off? Why or why not?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/05/12/the-decaying-of-the-american-dream-in-1-chart/

The decaying of the American Dream, in 1 chart

Large majorities think their kids will have it worse than they do.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 12 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-05-12T12:12:59-04:00

I agree with this poll. We have sold out or democracy and our country in the name of profits - which we then resell as being "patriotic". The American people are being attacked from both sides. They have an unresponsive government that is spending like crazy while at the same time trying to cut taxes meaning we will never get the debt paid off - or even paid down. Then we have corporate America lobbying the government for these things and at the same time trying to stave off basic economic principles like the law of diminishing returns. They externalize costs back onto the people and, even though we are a consumer economy, keep wages low which depreciates buying power, which in turn decreases economic output. So, unless we can fundamentally change our economic and political culture then future generations are surely going to be in trouble.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-05-12T12:13:30-04:00

Bullshit......opportunities are still there for those willing to work for it.

Now will the next generation of generation y-me kids be ok.....probably not....unless they learn from their parents mistakes and realize that you are entitled to nothing but Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Note I said pursuit not actual happiness. We have had several generations, going back to the 80s babies that just feel they should not have to work, or work as hard as others, or even worse harder than others, for rewards or what they want. We have a welfare system designed to keep folks in it, and we are teaching our children that quiet compliance with things that violate our morals is better than making waves. But even with all that being said.....YES opportunities are there for those willing to work for it and not wait for it to be handed to them.

Anyway sorry this topic always pisses me off, because most of the folks that answer and bitch about how bad they have it are living off those of us who are actually working and paying the bills......that being said my break is over so back to work....someone has to feed the welfare machine.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 12 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-05-12T12:28:48-04:00

My American dream may be different then what is traditionally perceived. Quoting Richard Florida on this one. “The new American Dream is to maintain a reasonable living standard while doing work that we enjoy doing.” I think we create our own American dream if we work hard towards our goal.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made May 12 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-05-12T13:50:02-04:00

I don't think any of us can predict the future. The president will change and so will the agenda. In this country we go through ups and downs, but to be honest, it only takes one person to turn it around. I do agree that if we keep going down the road we are on it will not be a very prosperous future. Again, not one single person I know can tell the future, so only time will tell.

Shaffer

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-05-13T17:03:13-04:00

They need to watch their debt levels. Service jobs do not pay much, and we are outsourcing to countries like China for manufacturing.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 13 at 2015 5:27 PM

2015-05-13T17:27:39-04:00

I have a hard time believe this.

"Worse off" is so Subjective.

I have a 40" flatscreen TV hanging on my wall that was $600 new. I could replace it with something double the size for the same cost. I have a device in my pocket that literally has the combined intellect of the world at my figertips.

I am no longer ever alone.

Things cost less than ever before, are easier to get than ever before. It's easier to see things, do things, and learn things than ever before. How am I worse off now than when I was 20?

Medicine is better than I was growing up. Who remembers having Chicken Pox? You know they have a Vaccine for that now? Ulcers have a Vaccine. Pneumonia has a Vaccine. Think about that. What will have a Vaccine in 20 years?

There's some "kid" who figured out how to do a blood test array for like $30 without the traditional "blood draw" (using the diabetes 'poke') which takes like 2 hours. They can now scan our genes to figure out if we're susceptible specific health conditions. We're 30~ years from the Singularity (look it up, it's frigging cool).

We're at the greatest point in human history, and it's just getting better. And America is on the forefront of that. Economics is just a small fraction of what we are.