>Unless you're really lucky, the American dream died a long time ago...
>
>I suppose that luck might have something to do with it if you are Paris Hilton or the children of Sam Walton. However, if you work hard, you can achieve the American dream even if you do not have inherited wealth. Andy and I have. No one ever gave us anything. I never even inherited $1 when my parents died. I did it all on my own by working hard, saving for my retirement, and not living beyond my means. The same is true for Andy.

Neither did I. I was born in a very humble family. All I've got, I have worked for. I'm doing ok, but I'm not rich and I'm neither putting that as a goal either.
I respect you worked hard, but I also remember that you stated you were not rich.. So what is it?? I do not have the impression you reached the American dream.
But really, for most people the American dream is further away than ever. Hard work will not get you there unless you get lucky.

>I really feel sorry for you. You must be very unhappy to have such a hopeless world view. Or is it just the United States that you abhor? If it is the latter, you and Obama could be best friends...

I do have a hopeful view of the world as it gets more educated. All I'm saying, snap out of it, and in stead of repeating one another educate yourself about things before you criticize them. IOW, know your enemy and you might learn something about your "friends".

However it is the citizen that gets mislead and influenced politically by media and the politicians. Joe and Jane doe (anywhere on the planet) on the average do not have a clue about how things work outside of their borders and therefore vote being totally oblivious on how things really work. In the US, the example of the redefinition of the work "socialist" is a perfect example of that.

Have a nice day too