America, Still the land of opportunity....

[brig2221]

I see, hear, and read more people every day giving up on the American dream, not taking any personal responsibility for their lives and financial situations, while listing off the many reasons why the deck is stacked against them and cannot succeed.

There is no doubt that this country and the politics that run it are far from perfect, and that some people get breaks that others do not, and that some have any easier path to opportunity than others. That said, this country is still the land of opportunity I believe.

The reason why I started this thread and have said all of this is because of an article that I just read on Yahoo Finance. They write articles periodically on those that have started their own successful businesses, and the stories behind them. I read the below article, and when I got done my first thought was, only in America. Link below:

http://finance.yahoo.com/smallbiz/article/featuredbiz/21434

[boefixepa]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I whole heartedly agree with you. I know poeple have different situations, different opportunities, and differnt talent skills, but I know we've got it better here than most any other place.

No our government and systems are not perfect, but better than any other I've seen.

Yes it can be hard, but at least we have the chance.

The cards may be stacked against some people, but I honestly believe that 95%+ of people can better their cirmcumstances over their life time if they put forth the effort to make it happen.

America is the land of opportunity....it's just generaly disguised as hard work.

[vsjhoc]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I don't disagree with the be-all-you-can-be work ethic.

But believe it or not, some other countries have better standards of living than in the U.S.

For example, in Australia, everyone has top notch public health care coverage. Every employee has "superannuation" -- it's like a combination of Social Security and a 401(k) where employers are required to contribute at least 9% of your salary. Higher education is priced so that it is within reach. In fact, the expensive private universities are ususally considered less prestigious than the public universities.

[brig2221]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

vsjhoc,

Your point is definitely taken. Take Norway for example. The people there all pretty much live like Kings. Fairly small population with a tremendous amount of oil wealth that is distributed mostly to the people in the form of Health Care, paid schooling, you name it.

My point is, although there are certain countries and areas that may provide comprehensive health care where we do not, or affordable higher education where we do not, or free/low cost drug prescriptions where we do not, it almost always comes at a cost. All of those benefits I just listed come directly from said Governments to it's people. Typically these situation create "entitlements", and stagnate hard work & innovation. I'm not saying this 100% true across the board, but it does happen.

Edit: I don't want to turn this into "America is better than the rest of the World thread". That wasn't the point of my post. The point of my post was that I see more and more people throwing their hands up in the air, blaming government, blaming big business, blaming special interest groups, anybody but themselves, for their personal and financial situations.

I believe the linked story really told the story of the American dream, being able to take single idea and turn that into a successful business with hard work, perseverence, and the will to succeed. I think America allows for the opportunity better than any in the world. This is totally separate in my opinion from what is the best country in the world.

[fairy74]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I agree with the OP, we do have opportunity. It still takes hard, hard work to make it happen, but it can be done. A lot of the problem is children who have been raised to be lazy and believe the world owes them every little thing. The only thing that really scares me is that healthcare is getting so ridiculous I do not think the average person (even one who works 2 jobs or more) can afford it. There is something really wrong with that.

[creditcardfree]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

Yes, anyone who chooses can make it here in America and elsewhere I'm sure. I had a neighbor who was also saying "I'll always live here. I can't make a better income." Well, if that is what she believes and isn't interested in changing anything then that is what she will be.

In my mind, it is all about attitude.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I think it's also worth noting that the term "opportunity" can be a slippery one.

For example, some would see overnight get rich-quick schemes as an "opportunity".

Some also have a warped view of what the American dream is suppose to be (ie. A palatial mansion in Malibu, and no less than 3 exotic cars in the garage).

I remember reading a Confucian saying once, that the upright man keeps his head in the clouds, but his feet firmly on the ground.

[sweeps]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I remember reading a Confucian saying once, that the upright man keeps his head in the clouds, but his feet firmly on the ground.

Similarly, man who stand on toilet, high on pot.

[humandraydel]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

Similarly, man who stand on toilet, high on pot.

Too funny!!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

how to tell opportunity from temptation:

Opportunity knocks once...but temptation keeps on pounding at the door (and windows, and mailslot, ect)

from an email delivered to me yesterday...

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

Sweepsplayer that was a good one! LOL!

You can make it here. It does not mean that you will be successful but there is the oppurtunity! I'd like to think that I have "made it". Own a house, two cars, and have money coming in. In my eyes I have made it and there are not too many places on the planet where I could have done it!

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

I agree with the OP, we do have opportunity. It still takes hard, hard work to make it happen, but it can be done. A lot of the problem is children who have been raised to be lazy and believe the world owes them every little thing.

That's why Oprah said she built that school in South Africa as an education is but a dream for kids & they beg to go to school. Whereas here the kids are more into materialistic things, I think some of that came from the Yuppie generation & the "keeping up with the jones" stigma. But I read that Oprah said US kids want their IPODs & fancy shoes & could care less about their education.

I think there is opportunity not just with hard work but the tools & the knowledge & resources to do so. So if you lived in the most poverty stricken city in the US (as they were talking about on ABC NEWS) of Camden NJ where the only opportunities there are to be in gangs & that's about it. The kids try when they are small to get educated & get sucked into the world of crime & poverty cause that's all they have ever known to be available to them. They profiled some kids & a teenager trying to make a differance in their futures... pretty neat to see how good we got it in other parts of the country.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

Similarly, man who stand on toilet, high on pot.

Doh! Haha, nice. I wish I thought of that one.

[rob62521]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

Although some of us had to really work hard to get where we are, I think the first post really said it when they wrote about taking responsibility. Some people can't improve themselves because they want it handed to them and won't accept they are responsible for their own success to a point. It's easier to sit and whine than work hard and make sacrifices.

I watched the 20/20 on Camden and it was heartbreaking. I see our own inner city as very similar. We aren't as big or as hard up, but since the kids don't know anything different, many accept this lifestyle and go with it. I've taught in the inner city for over 21 years and for many of the students, I can't impress upon them there is a different world out there and you have to look for it and work for it. Many are satisfied to stay where they are -- not great, but less scary than change. Education isn't cool and they don't see it as their ticket out.

[creditcardfree]

Re: America, Still the land of opportunity....

rob62521, Thanks for your hard work teaching in an inner school. My sister tried it and it was just too stressful for her. I agree with everything you said about those kid's outlook. I would hope that you would continue to talk and try to impress on your students that education is the ticket. Use yourself or anyone else as an example. I'm sure there will be a least one who will gleam this from you and it will be worth it.

I showed my nephew a chart on investing early and how he could have more money at retirement than someone who waited longer to start investing and actually puts more of their own money in...the compound interest topic. He was very impressed. He comes from a home that is not prospering, but yet they wear the nicest name brand clothes.