Every parent wants to believe that those who follow them, i.e. their children and grandchildren, will be more productive, more comfortable, more prosperous, and happier than they have been in their own lifetime. History has proven that this expectation is reasonable and achievable. However, for the first time ever, families have a pervasive uncertainty about their future. People, in general, no longer believe that if you work hard and take responsibility, you can get ahead.
The unique difficulties that the middle class of Americans have recently experienced appear to make "climbing up the ladder" harder rather than easier. The economic downturn of the past ten years, global competition and outsourcing of American jobs, elimination of middle class jobs in the public sector and a weakening of the economic foundation people depended own for their success are the causes of great concern.
The few at the top are doing better than ever. Economic growth abounds, corporate profits are booming and stock prices are at an all time high. Everybody else is working more just to get by and many remain unemployed. Average wages are static and class inequality lessens our chance for financial growth and stalls upward mobility. Is it any wonder that uncertainty abounds and that the American public lacks surety that the future will be better.
The Washington Post recently published the results of the Miller Center Poll from the University of Virginia taken September 6-12, 2013.The American Dream Poll shows that 63% of the public believe kids won't be better off than their parents. In stark contrast, a poll from 1999 showed two thirds believed kids would be "better off". In the 2013 poll, 66% believe it's harder to get ahead financially. People are struggling amid a sputtering economy and 74% believe it's harder to find jobs.
Another important Gallup Poll taken June 1-4, 2013 records the declining faith in societal institutions, i.e. churches, government, the business world and even the Supreme Court. The Poll finds the following levels of confidence in specific institutions: Congress ranks lowest of all institutions at just 5%. This is the fourth year in a row that Congress ranked at the bottom of the level of confidence poll and its current rank is the lowest ever recorded for any institution. big business rated just 9%. The criminal justice system ranked equal to banks at 10%. The Supreme Court ranked 13% while public schools ranked 14%. The medical system scored a 15% level of confidence and the Presidency rated 19%. Most of these institutions lost from 22% to 25% decline in level of confidence.
Military experienced an increase in level of confidence ranking 43%. Small business rated 29%, police 26% and organized religions (churches) rated 25%.
The Miller Center Poll served as a starting point for an initiative to bring together policymakers, business leaders, scholars, and journalist to advance ides for rebuilding the American Dream.
After reading the data on the public's loss of faith in the possibilitiy of attaining "the American Dream" today, I can't help but remember television's version of the family's journey to the top. Start with "Good Times" and on to the "Jeffersons" and the Fresh Prince, ending with the Huxtables. It makes me wonder where are we today.
Theme Song-"Good Times"
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay offs. - Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs. - Good Times.
Ain't we lucky we got 'em - Good Times
Movin' On Up (Theme Song-"The Jeffersons")
Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin',
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues,
Gettin' our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby,
There ain't nothin wrong with that.
Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
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