The American Dream Still Alive?
Dec 24th 2007, 11:35 pm
#16
Bugger Off!
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,858
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
I think the american dream is old hat.
it applied when peopel arrived at Ellis Island and grafted like hell in a sweatshop so they could afford to buy a plot of land and live off it.
I don't think it applies anymore...
The american dream nowadays is go to college, come out in debt.
move up the corporation ladder by screwing anyone over on the way and be thankful for 2 weeks vacation a year.
and if you are one of the screwed over then you've not been personally responsible and deserve to die in the gutter on social security.
my 2 cents.
it applied when peopel arrived at Ellis Island and grafted like hell in a sweatshop so they could afford to buy a plot of land and live off it.
I don't think it applies anymore...
The american dream nowadays is go to college, come out in debt.
move up the corporation ladder by screwing anyone over on the way and be thankful for 2 weeks vacation a year.
and if you are one of the screwed over then you've not been personally responsible and deserve to die in the gutter on social security.
my 2 cents.
Dec 24th 2007, 11:37 pm
#17
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,542
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_dream
While sitting on my own on christmas eve for the first time in my life I'm not feeling the dream right now. DH is one of those military folks (who must be earning top dollar
) working a 24 hour shift.Merry christmas- cherry brandy anyone
Dec 25th 2007, 12:05 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Hello All,
I'm a 21 yr old student from London, UK. I recently returned from the United States after completing an internship in Virginia, USA. Having returned I'm debating whether to return to the United States after finishing University.
I found American life quite exciting with many opportunities in terms of work. I find it also less stressful in terms of living in England.
However, my question is, is the American dream still alive? I asked many of my fellow American friends if they liked living in America and would they ever consider moving abroad, some replied yes, some no.
Having saw a report by the BBC stating that Australia and Canada are now the two top Country's Brits tend to move to, I'm wondering whether America would be the best choice for me.
Merry Christmas!
I'm a 21 yr old student from London, UK. I recently returned from the United States after completing an internship in Virginia, USA. Having returned I'm debating whether to return to the United States after finishing University.
I found American life quite exciting with many opportunities in terms of work. I find it also less stressful in terms of living in England.
However, my question is, is the American dream still alive? I asked many of my fellow American friends if they liked living in America and would they ever consider moving abroad, some replied yes, some no.
Having saw a report by the BBC stating that Australia and Canada are now the two top Country's Brits tend to move to, I'm wondering whether America would be the best choice for me.
Merry Christmas!
No one can really answer or tell you if America is for you, only you can decide that.
Dec 25th 2007, 12:43 am
#19
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 250
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
It's no picnic here, I wasn't sure whether you were saying you found living here easier or harder than Britain, but a lot of it will come down to your expertise. the American Dream of driving a huge car for pennies etc will die...thank goodness.
Dec 25th 2007, 1:02 am
#20
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
so it depends on your perspective.
Dec 25th 2007, 1:14 am
#21
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
That's the thing though isn't it? If you're from some godforsaken third world hellhole, the US will seem like paradise to you. But move from a first world nation, and it soon becomes obvious how much of a con it really is. Pity is that the natives don't see/understand how much of a con it really is.
Dec 25th 2007, 2:02 am
#22
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
That's the thing though isn't it? If you're from some godforsaken third world hellhole, the US will seem like paradise to you. But move from a first world nation, and it soon becomes obvious how much of a con it really is. Pity is that the natives don't see/understand how much of a con it really is.
Dec 25th 2007, 2:05 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
That's the thing though isn't it? If you're from some godforsaken third world hellhole, the US will seem like paradise to you. But move from a first world nation, and it soon becomes obvious how much of a con it really is. Pity is that the natives don't see/understand how much of a con it really is.
Dec 25th 2007, 2:20 am
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Reality is that working here is generally far more shitty and ruthless than the UK. Hence high levels of stress. 2 weeks off a year = mucho stress (for European minded people who work to live, not live to work).
Not to mention if you should find yourself out of a job, chances are you'll likely lose your medical cover too if you can't pay your own way. Which again causes stress.
Also many other components of US life (especially regarding being ripped off/sued etc) which could stress the unwary. And plenty of other things besides.
Silly Sods comment about working 70+ year olds (becoming the norm) and close to being on your arse is bob on.
There simply ain't no societal safety net in the US.
Dec 25th 2007, 2:33 am
#28
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Dec 25th 2007, 2:51 am
#29
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Not entirely sure how you figure this one. Loafing around as a student, maybe.
Reality is that working here is generally far more shitty and ruthless than the UK. Hence high levels of stress. 2 weeks off a year = mucho stress (for European minded people who work to live, not live to work).
Not to mention if you should find yourself out of a job, chances are you'll likely lose your medical cover too if you can't pay your own way. Which again causes stress.
Also many other components of US life (especially regarding being ripped off/sued etc) which could stress the unwary. And plenty of other things besides.
Silly Sods comment about working 70+ year olds (becoming the norm) and close to being on your arse is bob on.
There simply ain't no societal safety net in the US.
Reality is that working here is generally far more shitty and ruthless than the UK. Hence high levels of stress. 2 weeks off a year = mucho stress (for European minded people who work to live, not live to work).
Not to mention if you should find yourself out of a job, chances are you'll likely lose your medical cover too if you can't pay your own way. Which again causes stress.
Also many other components of US life (especially regarding being ripped off/sued etc) which could stress the unwary. And plenty of other things besides.
Silly Sods comment about working 70+ year olds (becoming the norm) and close to being on your arse is bob on.
There simply ain't no societal safety net in the US.
Sorry, I meant MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Dec 25th 2007, 3:25 am
#30
Ivegotta Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 900
Re: The American Dream Still Alive?
Hello All,
I'm a 21 yr old student from London, UK. I recently returned from the United States after completing an internship in Virginia, USA. Having returned I'm debating whether to return to the United States after finishing University.
I found American life quite exciting with many opportunities in terms of work. I find it also less stressful in terms of living in England.
However, my question is, is the American dream still alive? I asked many of my fellow American friends if they liked living in America and would they ever consider moving abroad, some replied yes, some no.
Having saw a report by the BBC stating that Australia and Canada are now the two top Country's Brits tend to move to, I'm wondering whether America would be the best choice for me.
Merry Christmas!
I'm a 21 yr old student from London, UK. I recently returned from the United States after completing an internship in Virginia, USA. Having returned I'm debating whether to return to the United States after finishing University.
I found American life quite exciting with many opportunities in terms of work. I find it also less stressful in terms of living in England.
However, my question is, is the American dream still alive? I asked many of my fellow American friends if they liked living in America and would they ever consider moving abroad, some replied yes, some no.
Having saw a report by the BBC stating that Australia and Canada are now the two top Country's Brits tend to move to, I'm wondering whether America would be the best choice for me.
Merry Christmas!
