RIP, The Middle Class: 1946-2013, By
John Meacham, the author of the reading, states many things surrounding the American dream that may be factual or opinionated. One of the many statements in the reading is that “Capitalism produces winners— and losers” (Meacham 5). One may agree to this statement due to the current state of society in America. Currently, society in America is greatly divided into sections, such as the distinction between the rich and the poor. Meacham addresses the topic of the social classes stating “Difficult now than in the past for many people to achieve middle class” and “Widening gap between the rich and poor suggests dream is becoming more elusive” (Meacham 3, 5).
My article deals with the study of society and social interaction of the Middle Class and how they survived on a Nickel and Dimed. In our text (n) 2, (pg. 42, paragraph 2) the journalist Barbara Ehrenreich brought the two stories together by research, that it is, impossible to make it on minimum wage work. The journalist observed in her study the mindset of the working Middle Class people, their persistence to make ends meet, to take care of their household, family and the will to make thing change. The “Middle Class” an aimless expression applied to those who is not on the system of welfare. In the United States certain development changed the past three decades, due to after World War II, the benefits of growth, and money making flow to
Cal Thomas’s paper is not totally against the idea of the American dream dying but, works to explain why it is dying while Brandon King’s essay stresses that the American dream is more alive than ever and goes on to prove why. When comparing Cal Thomas’s writing to Brandon King’s writing three main points were used which were discussing the American dream in regards to each writer, the second point covered texts or outside writing used in each author’s paper, finally the third point went over each author’s views on the American dream today and what in their paper proved their
The result is a “class system based on widening gaps in income wealth, and power between those on top and everyone below them” (Johnson 44). Although many Americans despise their lot in life, they have little choice but to work for the oppressive system. Capitalism produces oppressive consequences in which the class system provides little to no security to those who are not in the top ten percent. Bambara does not hesitate to call the reader’s attention to this fact through the ideas of Miss Moore. Sylvia narrates that Miss Moore is “boring us [the children] silly about what things cost and what our parents make and how much goes for rent and how money ain’t divided up right in this country” (Bambara 146).
The author 's primary point is that, the Americans were in bad economic times and needed revival. He names the day of the speech as a day of national consecration, and is certain that, his fellow Americans expect that on his induction into the Presidency he will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation the nation was facing. He emphasizes on the need to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. The Americans had no need to turn a blind eye on the conditions the country was facing. He begins by asserting his firm belief that the only thing that the Americans had to fear is fear itself.
In the essay “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” Brandon king argues whether or not the American Dream is still alive and well in the USA. The author makes a strong case that the American Dream is, in fact, still held to a high degree of belief in America. Not only does he successfully argue that it is still alive, he presents information that shows how the Dream itself has shifted from a rags-to-riches story to one of a stable, happy life. Overall, King’s use of strong emotional appeals, coupled with his employment of sound reasoning and statistics make his argument that the American Dream has evolved over time very effective.
Americans are still achieving their dreams today by working hard. In the essay “They Live the Dream,” Dan Rather stated, “Delores Kesler… began her career at twenty-two with a series of dead-end jobs, struggling to make ends meet” (41). She was trying to provide for her child,
McClelland’s article “RIP the Middle Class” was published September 20th 2013 in a salon, which is an online news site that publishes pieces that includes fearless commentary and criticism point of views. McClelland’s Rhetorical statement is that big automotive cities are diminishing which is a result of losing; which as of a result of this causes the middle class to lose. The rhetorical statement that McClelland indulges to the audience is to be persuaded by the aim which is once known as the “blue-collar aristocrats” to the “blue-collared” workers. Whom struggle to pull in a national median title of “middle class.” The time era that this has taken place started in the 1970s, remembered by Americans as the “Decade That Those Forget” which blue-collared workers prospered in the middle class economy.
In the movie, Inequality for All, there are a lot of important facts and research about our American economy that has not been helpful for the middle class. It has been beneficial for the upper class on many different levels but it hurts the heart and soul of the American workforce which is again the middle class. Without the middle class there would be no upper class, the middle class is very essential to the American economy flowing smoothly. In this film, former United States secretary of labor Robert Reich travels across America looking for answers to what happened to our economy. Reich explains what America has been and become over the last one hundred years.
Atlantic Media Company, 18 May 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. "The American Middle Class Is Losing Ground. "
Reading through RIP, the Middle Class: 1946-2013, it became fairly obvious that the author, Edward McClelland, was presenting a thesis idea that consisted of promoting the middle class through examples of its prime time when middle class thrived. McClelland made the point clearly as he repeatedly provided examples ranging from the glory days of the assembly line industry that had provided high paying jobs for many people, to presidents who attempted to keep business within the United States to promote home grown jobs. He was especially focused on the point that the middle class was shrinking due to a large discrepancy between the wealthy and the rest of society as capitalism achieves its goal of padding the wealthiest and keeping the middle
7 Oct. 2015. In the article “The vanishing dream” the author analyzes the disappearing of the American dream. His analysis focusses in two dimensions. First, the economic
The American Dream remains a vital aspect of America’s identity as a nation, but in the 1920s it took on a new meaning. During this period of rapid growth and development, the American people endured both highs and lows in pursuit of their goals for financial prosperity and happiness. This essay will explore the changing idea of the American Dream during the 1920s and analyze how the era impacted its meaning. The 1920s was a time of prosperity and change while cultural movements, economic prosperity, and technological advancements altered the social landscape.
The working class bought property, but they couldn’t buy houses or hotels for their property. They also were about to lose all their property to us until the class and game ended. The upper class has no problem achieving the “American Dream” since they have lots of control and can do anything they like. They aren’t afraid to play dirty to get what they want either. The other classes however can really struggle when it comes to achieving the American Dream.
Annotated Bibliography Cohen, M. (2014, April 26). The American Dream is now just that for its middle classes – a dream. The Guardian, p. 00. “The American Dream is now just that for its middle classes – a dream” by Michael Cohen explains the perception of Americans towards the decline of the middle class. The article details how the middle class was viewed before the elections of President Obama, and how it’s viewed after the creation of the Affordable Care Act.
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