The American Dream is a Fraud

Áine on March 23rd, 2004 filed in Essays

People are putting in longer hours on the job now than they did in the 1950s, despite promises of a coming age of leisure before the year 2000. In fact, in the U.S., we’re working more than medieval peasants did, and more than the citizens of any other industrial country. Overall, for those who actually have jobs that is, Americans work 9 weeks longer per year than Western Europeans do. Americans get 2-3 week vacations, versus 5-6 week vacations that many Europeans are afforded. Uncompensated overtime for salaried employees, or those who have become “permanent temps,” is also at an all-time high. Our debt load from college and beyond is at record highs with no signs of any light at the end of the tunnel, while college costs continue to skyrocket, and financial aid is much less than it used to be. It almost makes you wonder if a college education is at all worth the burden of debt you carry coming out of college. And with no guarantees of employment once you graduate from college, chances are, even if you find a low-wage job somewhere (likely it will be far from home), you’re likely only one pay check away from being unemployed and homeless with a mountain of debt waiting to crush you.

We were born and raised into this American culture brainwashed to believe in some elusive thing called “The American Dream” where you go to college, get a good job with benefits, get married, buy a home, have children, and then quietly retire, your investments and social security taking the financial burdens off of you in your elderly years. We were told that, although it wouldn�t be easy, it would be possible to live the idyllic life outlined by that scenario. We were told that anyone of the proper age (35) could conceivably run for and be elected to the office of President of the United States, too. Work was the rule. It was the common means of subsistence, the badge of responsibility and respectability, the sign of a healthy-minded individual, and by extension, a healthy community and nation.

So what happened to wipe that dream off the face of our nation? Privileges granted or sanctioned by our government underlie the economy, the social and political spheres of influence, and the mental and moral manifestations that appear so ominous in these United States. Indeed, the resemblance to Mordor is not going unrecognized here.

This inequality in distribution causes the formation of two clearly marked and powerful classes within society with distinct views and mutually hostile feelings. One of them is lifted into superabundance and the weaknesses and vices that spring from it; while within that class is born the spirit of superiority and the feeling that the “work force” people were created expressly to labor for their benefit alone.

The “work force” people, composing the vast majority of the population, constitute the opposing class. Cut off by monopoly from free access to natural opportunities, and robbed of and taxed on the fruits of their labor at every turn, they have been reduced to intense competition for not only a living, but survival itself. At one time, those in the “work force” group believed that it was possible to work their way into the other class, and some still do believe in that, but the evidence of anyone actually able to do such is becoming increasingly rare.

The myth of economic mobility has taken quite a drubbing lately, and rightly so. In September 2002, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Bhash Mazumder, concluded that “the persistence in inequality is about 50 percent higher than previously thought” — in other words, jumping from one class to the next is trickier than advertised. More recently, a pair of French economists, Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez, found that between 1973 and 2000, the bottom 90 percent of American taxpayers saw their average real income fall by 7 percent. — The Village Voice: Features: Generation Debt: The New Economics of Being Young: The Ambition Tax by Brendan I. Koerner

Yep, that’s pretty much what I’ve observed over the past thirty years. We aren’t any better off than we were in the ’70’s… in fact, we’re worse off now than ever before. Meanwhile, Bush and Kerry exchange blows over military service records, gay marriage, and suchlike. And what a blast we’re having in Iraq! The U.S. Agency for International Development, which is keeping America’s contractors (and their investors) strong and happy is full of good business news for Bush’s campaign contributors, and you might want to also see the details of Bechtel’s $253 million deal. After all, you’re paying for it. I have to wonder if this is a “War on Terrorism” or a “War on the ‘Work Force’” and looking at how profitable terrorism seems to be, I�m beginning to wonder who the real terrorists are… I have this sneaking suspicion, they aren�t all wearing turbans… maybe Armani suits and ties, though. Corporate welfare accounted for more than $167 billion in government giveaways in 1995 alone. Giant corporations such as McDonald’s and Pillsbury have received millions of taxpayer dollars to advertise their products overseas. Oil and mining companies have reaped huge profits by gaining cheap access to public lands. One of the myths of corporate welfare is that corporations use government giveaways to create more jobs. It�s a myth because rather than create jobs, the 500 largest U.S.-based corporations actually slashed jobs or outsourced them overseas, which amounts to the same thing : U.S. job loss… almost three million jobs gone in just the last two years alone.

Each year, U.S. taxpayers subsidize U.S. businesses to the tune of almost $125 billion, the equivalent of all the income tax paid by 60 million individuals and families. These corporations receive a wide range of favors: special corporate tax breaks; direct government subsidies to pay for advertising, research and training costs; and incentives to pursue overseas production and sales. While Congress institutes dramatic cuts in funding for traditional support programs for individuals and families, corporate giants continue to live off the dole. Each dollar spent on these “aid for dependent corporations” welfare programs means one dollar less for environmental programs, support for education, assistance to those in need, tax breaks for families, or deficit reduction. — Congress Watch : Corporate Welfare

But what does it all mean? Truly, the state of Corporate Welfare has got to be on some political party’s agenda, right? Right? Hmmm… perhaps the political rhetoric currently taking place is focusing attention away from the really important issues. The question is, is that happening on purpose, or are these so-called “leaders” so out of touch with reality that they aren’t aware of what the real issues are for 90% of Americans?

You know, there are solutions to the class battle currently being waged in this country : tax monopolies to death, put all public service monopoly functions (energy, for example) into public hands, close the tax loopholes, end corporate welfare and corporate corruption, institute heavy penalties for job outsourcing (in effect, if two-thirds of your employees and services do not occur in reality within the U.S. borders, they should be considered foreign companies, subject to tariff and other regulations and restrictions), and I’m sure there are other things that can be done, but in short, the goal here is honesty and integrity in both business and government… the value of “hard work” that we were all brainwashed to believe was going to lead to a better life, remember?

Justice and Democracy require a fair voting system, one that reflects the actual choices of the voters. We didn’t have that in the last Presidential election, will we have that in the next? Food safety is declining as producers are currently allowed to push risks and dangers onto unwitting consumers. Truth, disclosure and responsibility are important parts of a national economy. If you did all of these things, the main causes of the unequal distribution of wealth would be removed. The destruction of the numerous secondary causes would quickly follow.

In the last 5 years, a small number of the country’s largest industrial corporations has acquired more public communications power-including ownership of the news-than any private businesses have ever before possessed in world history.

Nothing in earlier history matches this corporate group’s power to penetrate the social landscape. Using both old and new technology, by owning each other’s shares, engaging in joint ventures as partners, and other forms of cooperation, this handful of giants has created what is, in effect, a new communications cartel within the United States.

At issue is not just a financial statistic, like production numbers or ordinary industrial products like refrigerators or clothing. At issue is the possession of power to surround almost every man, woman, and child in the country with controlled images and words, to socialize each new generation of Americans, to alter the political agenda of the country. And with that power comes the ability to exert influence that in many ways is greater than that of schools, religion, parents, and even government itself. — The New Communications Cartel in The Media Monopoly by Ben H. Bagdikian.

Why is it imperative that you supplement your television viewing and your newspaper reading with a heavy dose of independent, non-corporate supported news? One answer : truth. If you care at all about yourself, your neighbors, or your country, don�t sit there meekly accepting what the media is telling you. Investigate! You are being lied to.

The American Dream is a Fraud.

Technorati Tags: Corporatism, Essays, Poverty

10 Responses to “The American Dream is a Fraud”

Jarandhel Says:
March 24th, 2004 at 1:59 am
I think that the information which brought what you call corporate welfare the most into focus for me was finding out that the branch of state government controlling tolls on several bridges leading in and out of my state wanted to raise tolls when not only did they not need extra money to cover their operating expenses but had in fact so much of a surplus that they were investing heavily in various industries with it. Unfortunately, now I forget where I read that… I believe it may have been a AAA magazine, but I’m not certain at this point. It was a while ago.
Mal'akh Says:
March 24th, 2004 at 6:31 pm
Don’t underestimate the impact that voter turnout has on political policy. In 2004 60% of eligible voters voted*. That means that of the total amount of people who COULD have voted and didn’t, the percentage would have been enough to swing the election results. 40% is a big chunk of people.

When nearly half of the eligible voters don’t vote what should the policymakers think? Do we look like we give a shit who is in office and what the hell they do there? Are we being lied to… or have we just finally got the point across that we don’t care who is in Congress or the Senate as long as we have bread and circuses to keep us fat, dumb and happy?

How much of this should we be accepting responsibility for as a whole?

“People get the government they deserve” - Thomas Jefferson quoting le Comte de Maistre. Decent, caring people concerned about others get a government that cares about the people. People who are greedy, lazy, or apathetic get a government that is greedy, immoral and unconcerned with the public’s welfare. In a democracy, each of us is responsible for the quality of our government.

(* a total of about 86% of registered voters voted, however the percentage of total eligible voters who registered is around 70% and the total of all who are eligible and did vote is about 60%. In other words even among those eligible AND registered, the number who couldn’t be arsed to vote would have still been more than enough to change the outcome of the election decisively. Source: the us census bureau. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features/001643.html )
Aine Says:
March 25th, 2004 at 10:18 am
The popular vote in 2000 would have put Al Gore in office. We didn’t get the government which the voters chose… in fact, their votes counted for nothing since the man sitting in office was appointed by a Judge in Florida of which his brother was the Governor.

Is it any wonder people are apathetic towards voting?

On the other hand, a lot can happen between now and the Presidential election this year. Maybe enough people will be out of work that they’ll have nothing else to do but vote, preferably for anyone but Bush.
blargblog Says:
March 25th, 2004 at 10:54 am
Class Struggle Undermines the “American Dream”

Judging that the American Dream is a fraud, Aine the Evil Queen explains how the middle class democratic aspirations we ingested with our daily bread have gone to rot:Privileges granted or sanctioned by our government underlie the economy, the…
TheLurker Says:
March 27th, 2004 at 9:54 am
Exellent post.
Very indicative of how Power Corrupts.
The various measures to rectify the problems in this country are absolutely spot on and will never happen unless the American people revolt against the Government.
American Revolution….
Hey, haven’t we done that before ?
Taking up arms, or pens, to fight against the tyranny and opression that our Government presses upon us. Sounds almost like I am talking about a dictator, huh?
Bushs ‘election’ proved beyond doubt that we do not live in a democracy and I have personally spoken with 30+ ex-voters that refuse to vote again after the Bush fiasco.
30+, and I don’t get out much.
We have been so brainwashed over the last 30 years to believe that our government actually cares what happens to us that the majority have grown complacent and blind to the ’small indescretions’ of our ruling body.
Yes I said ruling body, and I don’t mean the government.
The work force have become nothing more than serfs to the ruling class and their government pawns. We may as well have been packed on ships by the hundreds and brought from Africa.

It’s funny. I grew up with my parents telling me that I could be anything I wanted.
I used to believe it, too.
Thats what they were told to tell me and my sisters, when in truth all we could truly become were slaves to the rich and powerful…you know, the ruling class.

Ok, I’ve rambled enough.

A
Mike Says:
March 27th, 2004 at 4:30 pm
Corporate welfare sucks. Personal welfare sucks. Repeat after me: caring is sharing; sharing when the taxman has a gun to the back of your head forcing you to share is really caring…
Aine Says:
March 28th, 2004 at 2:12 am
Personal welfare is, however, sometimes an unfortunate, but necessary, thing. Quite often, people have this attitude that those that are on welfare are living it up, having a grand old time, living “high off the hog” off taxpayer’s backs, so to speak. Perhaps in some cases that’s true, but I don’t think that’s true in the vast majority of cases.

Anything can happen at any time… any sort of personal or career catastrophe can wreak havok on the life of a person and their family. As I said in the essay, most people are only one check away from being unemployed and homeless. Most also have more debt than they are capable of making payments for should they suddenly find themselves without a job. Welfare doesn’t pay for everything, in fact, the average family of 3 (a single mom and two kids) only collects around $750.00 per month in welfare benefits in Michigan. It may be more or less in other states. That’s not what these families get in cash, that’s what they get in food stamps and a small amount to help keep a roof over their heads. I don’t know if you’ve ever raised any children, but I can tell you, it takes much more money than that just for the bare essentials (and I live in a place where housing expenses are not very high). In other parts of my state, and I imagine in other parts of the country, those expenses are even higher.

People are not living it up on welfare. Also keep in mind that the vast majority of unfortunate folks who find themselves on the welfare rolls were once taxpayers themselves. They’ve contributed to those taxes that are used to help welfare recipients, quite often they’ve contributed in taxes for many years.

I’ve also found that most state-run employment and retraining programs are an utter failure and a waste of billions of dollars that could be used, instead, to fund bootstrap businesses for those who are out of work, or for other programs that actually have a successful track record. For the most part, most state-run programs don’t have any built in measures to determine whether they are successful or not… and you would think this would be an important aspect in determining whether to continue, to improve, or to terminate these programs… but apparently such is not the case.
easygr Says:
July 2nd, 2004 at 3:21 am
You are an idiot. You do not have a coherent philosophy. Your positions on various issue negate each other at the level of core philosophy. Just one example:

You bitch and moan about the Gov. taxing individuals at every turn, and then whine that corporations get tax breaks. The point is, in the first case you implicitly say that the Gov. isn’t entitled to the fruits of other poeple’s labor. But you take it right back when you say corporate tax breaks are bad (Doh! the Government IS entitled to the fruits of other people’s labor).

I could go on, but what’s the point? Your thoughts are a disorganized, touchy-feely bric-a-brac of secondhand opinions and partly digested half-truths.
Aine Says:
July 5th, 2004 at 2:35 pm
Obviously you don’t understand that if it’s okay for corporations to not pay their fair share of taxes and then to gain taxpayer subsidies for their overseas advertising and other little projects, and then for pollution standards (which would benefit the public) to be waved away like a magic wand, just because of their own industry lobbyists and back room deals with politicos which are kept from the public… that it is NOT okay to keep taxing individuals to fund all that crap that we gain no benefit from. How is that not easy to understand? Why should corporations be above the laws, when individual tax payers are not?

If a corporation is doing more than 2/3’s of it’s business outside the U.S. and more than 2/3’s of it’s employees are working outside U.S. borders, then why should they have all the benefits of being a U.S.-registered corporation, and not have to pay their fair share of U.S. taxes, yet still be able to reap the benefits of U.S. incorporation and corporate law here?

My thoughts are not disorganized at all. The way this economic system is set up pits the corporations against the workers (rich vs. poor). War is waged for corporate gain (profit) and prettied up with grand talks about humanitarianism and foreign stability (which really amounts to new markets for these corporations being opened up in supposedly-sovereign countries). Tell me and show me the financial figures that dispute that point (that’s it’s all for profit), then you might have something to talk about. Show me the names and the faces of the people in the military that are in direct combat in this war we’re in right now, and you won’t find a DuPont or a Rockefeller or a Hearst (or even a Bush, a Cheney, an Ashcroft, etc.) among them. When the rich wage war, they make massive profits and pay only what they haven’t managed to weasel out of in taxes, and it’s the poor on both sides of the war who die. Dispute that with reliable facts and figures if you can, otherwise maybe you should investigate the chain of where the money goes. Follow the money, that will tell you who’s really in charge… it sure isn’t Joe Smith, average worker and voter.
Invenio Says:
September 30th, 2004 at 3:01 pm
This is some deep stuff we have gotten into, but allow me a few words if I may. First off, education is of paramount importance when it comes to understanding these things that have come to past. One needs to know history, the way corporations work, and the way government works, and that is way more study then the vast majority of people want to spare.
I agree with Mal’ahk when he says that we are reponsible for the government we get. It is misguided to believe one or a few people are controlling everything in this world. The reason government has become the way it is, is because the people that work in these corporations and in government have to much fear to go against the system. They fear losing their jobs, their careers, their houses, their families. There is too much at stake for them. When you get paid six figures to work as a security officer in Iraq for one year, how many red blooded Americans would pass that up? Folks, when we look at our corporations and our government we are looking into a mirror. We are looking at a vast system that is controlled by those who know how to control it, and the system is made up of people, and they control the people because the people have fear.
Our Constitution begins, “We, The People…” Whether you want to disagree with it or not, the actions of our government and our corporations have benefited we, the people, more often then not. We are materially blessed in this nation. Nearly everyone has a roof over their head and food to eat, and many more then that are blessed to own computers, satellite dishs, SUVs, and white pciket fences! Those who don’t have at least some safety net non-existent in other countries no matter how small it may be.
Government & Corporations will never be perfect, but they can do plenty of good. And bad people will always exist in those organizations. We can fine tune things to minimalize it, but never erase it altogether.
And since we have a seperation of religion and state in this country how can we expect our government to make moral decisions? They decided to go to war in Iraq because they thought it was best for our country. So what if what’s best for our country is retaining our power by any means necessary. The actions our government takes may not benefit you directly, but it benefits out country as a whole.
At the risk of writing a book on the subject I will stop here at the introduction. But do continue to think for yourselves, and always ask the reason why.