Did the "American dream" change over time, or was it just my interpretation of it? - eviltoast

So growing up, I had this idea that the American dream was about that if you put in an honest amount of work, you would be rewarded with a good life. This would mean you would be able to take care of yourself and your family, afford a car and a house. In my view, working one job would probably be enough.

Nowadays, I get the idea that the American dream has become about working your ass off in order to have a chance to become a millionaire. Somehow glorifying “the grind” appears to be a part of it too now.

  • Stinkywinks@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    9
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    It was stolen by the boomers, Reaganomics, citizens united and all the other policies that turned this country into corporate socialism.

    • flossdaily@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      Absolutely.

      Boomers were born into a country that handed them everything. You could walk into a factory, tell the manager you were looking for a job, share a handshake, and walk out with a unionized position, where you would make good money with great job security for the next several decades.

      Then these clowns told themselves that they were rich and successful because of their own hard work. And they pulled the ladder up behind them.

      It never occurred to them that their parents worked harder for less, and in a million years they won’t acknowledge that their kids have it harder, work smarter and longer hours for way less.