Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
There was once what was called the American Dream but for all practical purposes it's died as the premise used to be that if you found a job opportunity where you worked hard and exceeded expectations that those talents would be recognized and rewarded as you climbed the career ladder. The incentive isn't there anymore for many as they watch their hard work and superior job performance exceeded by nepotism, corporate politics rewarding the lazy and/or devious as well as the younger and less skilled who willingly work for 2/3 the salary.
If that was the case, immigrants wouldn't be flocking and do monkey tricks to get noticed.
We have moved away from old school industries. Plenty of money in other games now. On top of that I don't think you can sit and wait for someone else to assist you on your move up the corporate ladder. Things move to fast for someone to sit and wait it out.
People do have the freedom to be what they want. It doesn't mean it will go over well with others. If you want to dress in a chicken costume all the time, it might not work well wherever you go. And your freedoms of choice might not be successful enough to continue in the long haul. If you want to be a bum and not do anything, you could, but will likely struggle and face issues, unless you have lots of money. Regardless, the freedoms are still there. It's the results that will vary, from person to person and situation to situation.
There was once what was called the American Dream but for all practical purposes it's died as the premise used to be that if you found a job opportunity where you worked hard and exceeded expectations that those talents would be recognized and rewarded as you climbed the career ladder. The incentive isn't there anymore for many as they watch their hard work and superior job performance exceeded by nepotism, corporate politics rewarding the lazy and/or devious as well as the younger and less skilled who willingly work for 2/3 the salary.
These things aren't new. They have been going on for quite a few decades. You have to learn to work within that type of environment.
I was taught by my parents that if I applied myself to what I wanted to be, then anything is possible. This was also reinforced by my public school education. To a great extent, this sentiment turned out be true for myself. I taught the same principle to my son. He took this attitude to heart, and he too, is successful. I hope he will instill the same notions in his children. If not, I as a grandparent certainly will.
I think this is the brilliance of America. If you put in the work, you will be successful. There is a caveat in my thoughts however. If you are a minority, you will probably have to work a lot harder than I or my children did. But that's not to say your dreams are impossible. Work hard and " play the game" and you too will be successful.
Why do Americans say that in the US you have the freedom to live any type of life you want to live? Do you really think this is true?
No, it is not true. It takes a certain amount of intelligence, plus varying amounts of common sense, and a whole lot of hard work and discipline- if you've got those things, then you can do a whole lot and go far.
Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of people who are, to put it bluntly, too stupid to be able to achieve anything resembling a 'high' style of living. There are a whole lot more who are just plain too lazy and won't put in the effort that it takes- these are the ones who advocate for a 'living wage' and want to take from those with the will to exceed and give it to those who just want to do the bare minimum, they have this strange notion that the guy asking "You want fries with that?" should get the same size slice of pie as the CEO.
Quote:
In my opinion only the wealthy in the US really get to live the way they want, everyone else is just trying to follow some script.
This is not true either.
Anyone with a certain amount of intelligence, plus some common sense, and a *drive* to succeed can become wealthy I have seen it done again and again and again. These qualities are variable, a deficiency in one can often be made up by having more of the others. My father is one example- he went from dead broke to an early retirement (with a small fortune in cash stashed away)...now, he wasn't particularly intelligent, but he had a good dose of common sense and a drive that wouldn't quit. He worked his butt off providing good service to people and reaped the rewards.
I have watched immigrants, who came to this country with very little money, work and work and work and scrimp and save and save and save until they had enough money to open a business of their own so that they could work for themselves instead of being a slave to someone else. And I've watched them continue to work and save in order to open an additional business, and another and another...and *become* quite wealthy. They realized and appreciated the value of the 'American Dream' and the freedom to achieve it, and were willing to put in the effort that it takes to become successful. No one can convince me that it 'can't be done' because I have seen it done far too many times and I know that it *can* be done. The naysayers are stupid lazy slackers who think there ought to be some communistic/socialistic principles applied so that they can take from those who 'made it' without putting in anywhere near the same amount of effort. I have two words for them, and they aren't "Merry Christmas."
No, it is not true. It takes a certain amount of intelligence, plus varying amounts of common sense, and a whole lot of hard work and discipline- if you've got those things, then you can do a whole lot and go far.
Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of people who are, to put it bluntly, too stupid to be able to achieve anything resembling a 'high' style of living. There are a whole lot more who are just plain too lazy and won't put in the effort that it takes- these are the ones who advocate for a 'living wage' and want to take from those with the will to exceed and give it to those who just want to do the bare minimum, they have this strange notion that the guy asking "You want fries with that?" should get the same size slice of pie as the CEO.
This is not true either.
Anyone with a certain amount of intelligence, plus some common sense, and a *drive* to succeed can become wealthy I have seen it done again and again and again. These qualities are variable, a deficiency in one can often be made up by having more of the others. My father is one example- he went from dead broke to an early retirement (with a small fortune in cash stashed away)...now, he wasn't particularly intelligent, but he had a good dose of common sense and a drive that wouldn't quit. He worked his butt off providing good service to people and reaped the rewards.
I have watched immigrants, who came to this country with very little money, work and work and work and scrimp and save and save and save until they had enough money to open a business of their own so that they could work for themselves instead of being a slave to someone else. And I've watched them continue to work and save in order to open an additional business, and another and another...and *become* quite wealthy. They realized and appreciated the value of the 'American Dream' and the freedom to achieve it, and were willing to put in the effort that it takes to become successful. No one can convince me that it 'can't be done' because I have seen it done far too many times and I know that it *can* be done. The naysayers are stupid lazy slackers who think there ought to be some communistic/socialistic principles applied so that they can take from those who 'made it' without putting in anywhere near the same amount of effort. I have two words for them, and they aren't "Merry Christmas."
I understand where you are coming from and definitely don't disagree with you that you should be rewarded for having intelligence along with hard work and dedication, however I do think it's a shame that the only way to live a decent life in the US is to be atleast semi-wealthy.
It seems in some other countries you don't have to be wealthy to be able to do things like going on vacation or being able to take atleast a month off because you just had a child.I don't disagree that the US is one of the most favorable countries for people that want to amass financial wealth, but I think that it's unfortunate that Americans don't really see themselves as compatriots and it seems most don't realize that the nation as a whole would be better off if some of that wealth was shared, especially in order to give young people a better start at life because that time period is crucial for learning and development.
I suppose it's wishful thinking or just whistling in the wind. Despite our high hopes and ambition sometimes life is being in the right or wrong place at a certain time.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
