American Dream
The American Dream, something once thought to be the American lifestyle that once achieved, one’s life may be considered perfect. It started out simple, owning two cars, owning a large house in a suburban neighborhood, married with two children, and owning your own business. This may the American Dream after World War II has ended; however, because of the economic crisis, the increase of major corporations, and the cost of living; over the years, reaching this goal has been a very difficult to achieve.
Luke S.H. Wright in “The American Dream” has stated that large corporations such as Goldman Sachs are taking over the small businesses. This leaves owning one’s own business out of the picture. At the same time major retail chains are spreading to every corner, which in result, small business owners are being put out of business because of the convenience of large business chains. 7-Elevens are now replacing the family owned bodegas. Starbucks is now in every corner while local coffee shops are fighting to keep their small business open. Walmart has many small businesses within such as salons, key shops, arcades, and even their own McDonalds. This has caused family owned specialty shops to diminish. CBS Reporter has stated that Walmart, “Clearly, it puts a lot of smaller retailers out of business”
Luke S.H. Wright has also stated “Four Years at West Point is no longer the quick avenue to real power and influence; in the twenty-first century it is four years at Goldman Sachs.” Many ideas and way of living has changed rapidly over the decade. College prices are raising, therefore student loans are increasing. The cost of living has increased along with high taxes. Is this the death of the American Dream?
Luke S.H. Wright writes that the American dream does not exist anymore, that it has died because of major corporations taking over. Some would disagree in that it is still obtainable with harder work than what used to be available. Others believe that the original
Luke S.H. Wright in “The American Dream” has stated that large corporations such as Goldman Sachs are taking over the small businesses. This leaves owning one’s own business out of the picture. At the same time major retail chains are spreading to every corner, which in result, small business owners are being put out of business because of the convenience of large business chains. 7-Elevens are now replacing the family owned bodegas. Starbucks is now in every corner while local coffee shops are fighting to keep their small business open. Walmart has many small businesses within such as salons, key shops, arcades, and even their own McDonalds. This has caused family owned specialty shops to diminish. CBS Reporter has stated that Walmart, “Clearly, it puts a lot of smaller retailers out of business”
Luke S.H. Wright has also stated “Four Years at West Point is no longer the quick avenue to real power and influence; in the twenty-first century it is four years at Goldman Sachs.” Many ideas and way of living has changed rapidly over the decade. College prices are raising, therefore student loans are increasing. The cost of living has increased along with high taxes. Is this the death of the American Dream?
Luke S.H. Wright writes that the American dream does not exist anymore, that it has died because of major corporations taking over. Some would disagree in that it is still obtainable with harder work than what used to be available. Others believe that the original
Cited: Florida, Richard. "The New American Dream." Washington Monthly 35.2 (2003): 26. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Wright, Luke S. H. "The Death Of The American Dream." Virginia Quarterly Review 85.4 (2009): 196-199. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Goldstein, Lauren. "What We Wore Simply Put, the History of Office Attire for Men Goes Something like This: Suits, Suits, Suits, Suits, Khakis. A Closer Look Reveals a More Textured (and Patterned) Evolution in Work Wear." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 22 Nov. 1999. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. Periscope. "The Periscope Post." The Periscope Post. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. Clark, Kim. "College Tuition Costs Increase." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. "When Wal-Mart Comes to Town - Effect of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Local Economies - Special Section: The World of Wal-Mart - Company Profile." CBS Interactive. CBS Interactive Business Network, 15 June 1992. Web. 24 Feb. 2012.