Guess who’s losing faith in the American Dream? Everyone.

[jwirr]

30. You are not alone. I was born in 1941. Much of what you talk about is what I went through. We

grew up in a world that was at first satisfied with simple living.

Then along came the 50s and we started believing the bigger, better and more was the road to success. And for many it did seem like a better life. My family was not one of them. We lost our farm to what eventually became corporate farming and remained poor for years. But as you said we were fed and clothed and had a home over our heads.

Then in the 60s & 70s we became a materialistic people who could not get enough and at first we made enough to be able to afford to live like that. By the end of the 70s prices had gone up and workers were feeling the pressure. I was a divorced mother with three daughters and one of them severely disabled. Poverty was a very familiar situation to us. But I did thanks to grants etc. manage to get a MSW.

Then came the 80s and the trickle down theory and out sourcing of our jobs. After that it has been all downhill for all of us but the rich. I probably could have made the dream work for myself in the 80s but that severely disabled daughter need 24 hour care. Instead of placing her in a center I did what my training had taught me to do - keep her in the best placement - at home. When she was in school or at the day center I worked low income jobs part time wherever I could get them. I took care of her for 45 years.

Bill Clinton seemed to be an answer to our problems but life for many of us did not change and many of the trickle down programs were left in place to continue destroying the middle class. As someone who was poor I will tell you that without a prosperous middle class life on the bottom is hell.

Since the turn of the Century it has only gotten worse. No one seems to be safe from the greed of the 1% anymore. I agree I am afraid for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The American Dream had become a wish for healthy food on the table, clothing even if it is used, a roof over our heads, healthcare and hopefully a job that can pay for our needs. Notice that education is not even listed anymore.