The U.S. is 'basically at full employment'

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132. I'm doing ok...

Maybe mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and junior feel that they 'need' a bigger house than they can afford.

These are difficult times for those who try to live beyond their means. My wife and I lived in a house that we paid $14,500 for (in 2002). We lived there three years with our 4 children. I'm the only one that worked, and we got by just fine.

The people that I know that can't seem to get ahead don't seem to be able to drive junk cars, or live in 'fixer-uppers' or wear used clothing, or make any kind of sacrifice.

I'm not saying it's fair that the wealthy have taken the lions share of the 'riches' (and I know they have and it needs fixed), but there are steps that people can take to keep the dream alive. The people that I know that struggle with the problems you mention don't seem willing to take those steps.

I've run across several people who struggle the way you've mentioned and every one of them has that same problem. They 'deserve' a nice car, they 'deserve' a new house, or they deserve nice clothes. Then they 'deserve' the opportunity to work and the opportunity for their children to work, and the opportunity for their grandchildren to work.

In the cases where I've seen it, it's a choice that they make.