“Have We Reached The American Dream Yet?”

Our Generation Was told , We were ALL told By our Parents, Teachers Coaches, Church Leaders, Government Representatives, Peers, and After-School Specials, That if YOU work hard, put in 110% , Do good in school, Go to College , abstain from illicit conduct that we will secede. That we are individually special, that we can become anything we wish , That every one who tries, becomes the middle class , that all of our dreams will come true , all this is due to us being privileged enough to reside in the Grand Old USA!!! We were told the only reason there is poverty is due to the fact that “Those” people are abusing the system, and that they are “Lazy” “Un-Educated” “didn’t try, or gave up too soon and that’s why they live in poverty.
My story is much like yours and every person we have all known, met, and been friends with, acknowledged, sat in a subway or a bus near, seen, judged, hated and loved. Just for clarification though I will explain and go into detail. I went to school to grow and learn to be successful. I achieved good/decent grades. I tested exceptionally well especially in the English language. I took my new knowledge and Confidence, and went forth into the world wide eyed and green as spring time. I failed and pulled myself together. I learned from my past mistakes, and achievements. I overcame childhoods misleading thoughts, and tried again. This time I was stronger and more intelligent. I did this a few too many times for my own comfort, but I “kept on keeping on”. I did all this to achieve the “American” dream. I gave 110% some times 245% and sometimes on my bad days .5% of myself. I overcame countless obstacles, all in order to become “middle class”. I had a baby, entered in “wedded bliss”. So needless to say I became WE. WE joined forces to fight against the unknown world, we over came obstacles together. WE fought, Cried, almost gave up, Kept faith, lost friends, made friends, pulled together and finally achieved the fabled “predominant class”. As new members of “middle class” that we have achieved in all it’s glory : A CAR ; that we are upside down on the loan , CREDIT; that cannot be used , HEATH INSURANCE; that we can only use on an emergency. We have been room mating it for almost 2 years and lived alone for 2 months. Currently we have been getting pretty creative in order to pay rent/ save money.
We tried; we gave 110% we made it above the poverty line!! In our budget we get about $40 dollars a week in food money after we pay bills. That is approximately $160 a month!! So let’s do some math!!!

AMERICAN MATH:

3People + 1 “good” Income = $160 dollars a month for food.
1 “middle class” job + older car = loan greater than the car is worth.
Ok credit + decent job + no credit cards = no house loan??
Home made food+ No eating out + No excess spending = No savings
Work Hard + give 110% + Education + love + family support + love of country = THE AMERICAN DREAM = SUCCESS!!! <- “REALLY??????” Some people say well KB,  Why don’t you get on public assistance? Well we don’t qualify for any; we don’t even qualify for half priced lunch for our beloved Daughter!!!  Then why don’t you get a job? Well people the answer are harder than you may think. With my halfway done college Education The only job I can get is at a Fast-Food Chain , and If I did that all my money I earned would go to child care cost!!! And as a Family we make too much to get child care assistance!!!!! Does any of this sound Familiar? Remember Kids “If you work Hard you will become successful!!!” Do we sound successful????? Kind Regards, KB We are the 99%
I am the 99%
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