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 Land of Broken DreamsPosted on Nov 22, 2007WASHINGTON—We’re not who we think we are. The American self-image is suffused with the golden glow of opportunity. We think of the United States as a land of unlimited possibility, not so much a classless society, but as a place where class is mutable—a place where brains, energy and ambition are what counts, not the circumstances of one’s birth. But three important new studies suggest that Horatio Alger doesn’t live here anymore. The Economic Mobility Project, an ambitious research initiative led by the Pew Charitable Trusts, looked at the economic fortunes of a large group of families over time, comparing the income of parents in the late 1960s with the income of their children in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Here’s the finding that jumps out at me: “The ‘rags to riches’ story is much more common in Hollywood than on Main Street. Only 6 percent of children born to parents with family income at the very bottom move to the very top.” That’s right, just 6 percent of children born to parents who ranked in the bottom fifth of the study sample, in terms of income, were able to bootstrap their way into the top fifth. Meanwhile, an incredible 42 percent of children born into that lowest quintile are still stuck at the bottom, having been unable to climb a single rung of the income ladder. The study notes that even in Britain—a nation we think of as burdened with a hidebound, anachronistic class system—children who are born poor have a better chance of moving up. The Economic Mobility Project can’t be accused of having any kind of ideological bias; it’s a collaboration, led by Pew, involving four leading think tanks that pretty much cover the political spectrum—the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, the Heritage Foundation and the Urban Institute. “Both left and right can care about this,” said John E. Morton, Pew’s managing director for economic policy. “Traditionally, Americans have been ready to accept high levels of inequality because of our belief in the American dream. What happens if we can’t believe in the dream any longer?” When the three studies were released last week, most reporters focused on the finding that African-Americans born to middle-class or upper middle-class families are earning slightly less, in inflation-adjusted dollars, than did their parents. Julia B. Isaacs, the Brookings scholar who authored the reports, said the reason for this anomaly is still unclear; overall, the data suggest that blacks are somewhat less upwardly mobile than whites, although about two-thirds of African-Americans do earn more than their parents did. Isaacs said she was surprised at finding that the personal income of American men—including white men—has been almost perfectly flat for the past three decades. One of Isaacs’ studies indicates, in fact, that most of the financial gains white families have made in that time can be attributed to the entry of white women into the labor force. This is much less true for African-Americans; in 1968, when the sample group was first surveyed, black women were far more likely to already have income-producing jobs. The picture that emerges from all the quintiles, correlations and percentages is of a nation in which, overall, “the current generation of adults is better off than the previous one,” as one of the studies notes. The median income of the families in the sample group was $55,600 in the late 1960s; their children’s median family income was measured at $71,900. However, this rising tide has not lifted all boats equally. The rich have seen far greater income gains than have the poor. Even more troubling is that our notion of America as the land of opportunity gets little support from the data. Americans move fairly easily up and down the middle rungs of the ladder, but there is “stickiness at the ends”—four out of 10 children who are born poor will remain poor, and four out of 10 children who are born rich will stay rich. Isaacs, who specializes in child and family policy at Brookings, said she thought that improved early childhood education was one way to begin making the promise of economic mobility more of a reality; one key to understanding the racial disparities found in the studies, she said, might be the vast difference in wealth (as opposed to income) between white and black families. The Economic Mobility Project’s work should be part of the political debate. Every candidate for president should read these studies and then explain why it’s acceptable that a poor kid has only a 6 percent chance of reaching the top. Eugene Robinson’s e-mail address is eugenerobinson(at)washpost.com. © 2007, Washington Post Writers Group Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Pam, November 26, 2007 at 6:36 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Apparently, Americans are looked upon as “lucky” because we have so much “opportunities” and this is where the money is at or where the best education is given. Well, that is very much overlooked. People are ignorant to admit that because of the “power” the US has (which is inflicted upon us by our media), we are not the most powerful country we just make ourselves think that. We are just as weak as any other country. It;s the way government hides things and puts frosting on everything that makes the US clever.
Education? If one is willing to question, read, disagree, and have their OWN opinion to what the American education system trains us to learn, then there one has true education. Sadly, everything around us effects the way we think and most people’s opinions are led by what they are taught, which is strictly one side. U.S. Education does not challenge, it tells you what to do. We’re robots. Not only in America but everywhere else, YOU are responsible for your education.
If you think blacks, hispanics, or woman will someday not be considered minorities, you’re wrong. Although there are those that do succeed and get to the top, we do have to work triple times more.
The rich stay rich and the poor have to work their way up. Everyone has the tools to succeed but it does all depend on education, the connections you have, your social status, and ethnicity.
The whole world is racist, that will never change.
Report thisBy hippy pam, November 26, 2007 at 7:24 am #
It’s THANKSGIVING-and I see -in 40 years-how much America AND this countries People have LOST.We are all FAT[at least a lot of us]-We are all POOR[so very many of us]We are all tired of THE SYSTEM[those of us that are getting “shafted” by it]We are all"FED UP”[those of us that cower in our homes while others rob and rape because they feel “entitled” to what they HAVE NOT EARNED]We are OLD[the ones who could RIOT IN THE STREETS are to tired to do it]AND OUR YOUTH ARE USELESS[the majority of them want INSTANT GRATIFICATION and to HE** WITH TOMORROW]The GPA in America is a “joke” to the rest of the world.[Parenting classes are on the cirriculum for a COLLEGE DEGREE]-THIS GROUP “VENTS” on TRUTH DIG-HERE’S ONE FOR YA-LET’S TAKE IT TO THE STREETS….......
Report thisBy Bert, November 26, 2007 at 12:46 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Justin, if you wanna join the army, I told you,
Report thisyour mommy’s gonna have to sign that paper for you…
By SicknTired, November 25, 2007 at 10:05 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I wish, for once, they would talk about the difference between urban and rural, rather than black and white.
Urban Americans are getting shafted, and, as long as it’s placed under racism, unfortunately, no one cares.
Report thisThe disparity between urban and non-urban is shameful in America, and we don’t even TALK about it. We pretend that only all the bad things about urban life are “Black Problems” knowing full well that urban areas are the most multicultural regions in the country.
By Outraged, November 25, 2007 at 12:44 am #
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CYRENA
A collection of points for those of you who are just as intelligent as she is…..
Cyrena sez: the world must disregard almost all information received from all major network and cable news feeds ...
Cyrena sez: if you hate right wing president George Bush so much, like she does, that entitles you to promote another viewpoint from wherever you may find it and to take more than just rhetoric into consideration when coming to your conclusions.
Cyrena sez: even though you say its just the administration and policies you hate ... You can oppose despots even from within our own country who are committed to destroying America ... this will win you points with your fellow left-wing Truthdig commentators ... in fact they will always come to your aid with postings that prove their lies and rhetoric ... of course you always have to come to their aid too ...it’s very important to stick together and give support and encouragement when needed.
Cyrena sez: Whenever possible, check history to support the “supposed” left-wing agenda ...and, always interpret Truthdig as a place to voice your views and reason the truth ...
Cyrena sez: like you ... Im of the people and for the people ... and every time I get a chance Ill remind you how important I feel it is to be an American of integrity, and to establish and take a stand for that.
Cyrena sez: It doesnt matter that the borders of countries around the world have changed over and over again ... she sez: it’s important to remember the generations of those who have had possession of the land ... and therefore, even if it really was the Geico cavemen, we should be careful to consider them.
Cyrena sez: I have tallied up over 1580 postings. I work hard to get accurate information to the best of my ability out there and I will interact with just about anyone on anything because I believe all feelings and issues concerning all the peoples of the world to be at least valid enough to be given the consideration of being heard.
Cyrena sez: I at times call people a chicken shit coward ... well…basically, cause some of them just DESERVE that description, I didn’t make them who they are, but some people are really less than worthy of my time and effort, I’ll try harder to diss them at the onset.
Cyrena sez: Ive given my opinions and at times criticisms to Truthdig readers over 1580 times, which really just shows how committed I feel to making a real and valid change in this very conflicting world.
... Oh, and Cyrena, regarding sex, do whatever’s good with you….enjoy.
I’m so glad you comment here on Truthdig, please keep it up and that it wouldn’t be surprising in my mind to say I “know” I speak for the majority in hopes that you continue. Have a good one….
Report thisBy hippy pam, November 24, 2007 at 3:02 pm #
The Rich live off the working class sweat-the Poor are kept happy on welfare generated from taxes paid by the working class-There are LESS and LESS WORKING CLASS-ROME [i.e. U.S.]IS GONNA TOPPLE AND SOON…..
Report thisBy keepyourheaddown, November 24, 2007 at 1:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Its already over, this country has been destroyed by the greedy, there will be no going back, its going to crumble so fast it will make your head spin around. The dumb ass administration has put the final nails in the coffin,, they all thought they were so smart and slick, what a bunch of morons as stupid as it gets and more pathetic than can be believed.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, November 24, 2007 at 1:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
115408 by Novista on 11/24 at 1:31 am
“Funny how, back in the day when the graduated tax scale went to 91% for income over $100K, no one ever thought they would say to themselves, ‘Dont get mad, get even.’”
Never happened.
Never in the USA. the highest (graduated) tax rate ever was 78% for incomes over 250K per annum in the late Seventies.
AND when the tax base changed (under Reagan) My father paid more taxes in 1982 Than Chrysler Corp paid the same year.
AND truthfully, I believe, one day we WILL get even!
Report thisBy VillageElder, November 24, 2007 at 7:42 am #
After returning from Europe, about 1970, I saw the beginning of theeuropeanization of the USA. The division into two very separate and distinct classes was underway. Today there are: the haves; the think they haves; and the have nots. Europe at least provides for quality of life issues such as medical care and pensions.
As was mentioned earlier one medical episode can quickly move one to financial ruin be the diagnosis accurate or a miss. The pension systems are crumbling as we hear calls for an ownership society which is a return to Dickens’ time. Those that have get more and those that work may survive if their masters are kind. Minimal wages no benefits.
The empire’s economy is broken. The empire is broken. My children and grandchildren will have to live through this.
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, November 24, 2007 at 7:24 am #
115450 by troublesum on 11/24 at 6:55 am: “The French aren’t afraid of their government….”
Neither are the Australians who have just dumped their Howard Neocon conservative federal goverment in elections Saturday. Its taken them a decade to learn…....
But, as with the French, you can see why those troglodyte leaders love to fantasise about wars in distant countries. It gives them an illusory strength while they are weak in domestic policies, uhh. Sarkosy won’t last!
Report thisBy troublesum, November 24, 2007 at 6:55 am #
Three years ago another conservative PM in France thought he could ram through some “reforms” such as removing young workers from certain benefits. There were 10 days of rioting on the streets of Paris and other cities. I remember photos of burning cars on the streets. It looked like Baghdad. The French aren’t afraid of their government.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, November 24, 2007 at 6:17 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
It seems obvious to me that the economic system we embrace (sort of a ersatz Capital/equity/ism) is a pyramid scheme designed to attract monet toward workers and then move it up.
The idea that one generation can work hard, make a billion dollars, and by doing put the next 12 generations on vacation is just a touch “elitist”
Report thisBy KISS, November 24, 2007 at 5:22 am #
It is sad that the French are so championed here, truth is Sarkosky is Amerikanizing France at an alarming rate. Soon the Worker-Bees will be fully Amerikanized and working two minimal jobs at 70 hours per week and struggling. No more month long vacations nor free up-scale medical. The French finally found a Bush of their very own.
Report thisToo bad ER it took a new study to tell you what we have known since Reagan: “Trickle Down Economics” means Piss on you middle class. Lower class keeps growing…ain’t it grand to dream the American Dream? Pure Bullshit.
By Novista, November 24, 2007 at 1:31 am #
Funny how, back in the day when the graduated tax scale went to 91% for income over $100K, no one ever thought they would say to themselves, “Don’t get mad, get even.”
The pendulum swings and now it’s steal from the lesser-haves.
Karma’s such a bitch.
Not that I am defending the system at all—the system is terminally broken. In a reality based world, one with accountability, a CEO who trashed ~$8 Billion would not walk away with multimillions.
And in that virtual world, everyone would remember the definition of insanity.
But not to worry, the reality correction is coming. Say hello to banana republic. It’ll be a great levelling force. No quiet Great Depression this time—last go, people still believed in the system. The paradigm has changed.
Report thisBy P. T., November 23, 2007 at 3:46 pm #
That’s one of the reasons the U.S. corporate media hates France and northwestern Europe in general. The media are always trying to convince you that the place is hellhole.
Report thisBy Enemy of State, November 23, 2007 at 3:12 pm #
troublesome: Not only that, but their carbon emmisions are a third of ours, and they have pledged to greatly reduce them.
Report thisViva La France!
By thomas Billis, November 23, 2007 at 2:11 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Mr Robinson I have great respect for you.I will continue to have great respect for you in spite of this recent coloumn.It took this recent survey to show what has been obvious to many for at least 10 years.I had read that English mobility upwards vs American mobility upwards two years ago.Mr Robinson because of the respect I have for you I would expect to be ahead of the curve on things like this.During a time of accelerated growth the republicans have convinced people that there is such a thing as the American dream so do not hurt the rich because you are going to become one of them while blocking every chance that will happen.When John Edwards says the system is corrupt and rigged Hillary gets to call it mudslinging and the issue is dropped.I guess it is not mudslinging for the 94% who have no chance.
Report thisBy frank1569, November 23, 2007 at 2:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Super genius Mike Medved begs to disagree:
“In other words, despite terrorist attacks and war expenditures, and hysterical denunciations of the Bush administrations alleged devastation of the working class, ordinary Americans retained the same ability to climb the economic ladder that they enjoyed between 1986 and 1995the last years of the Reagan boom and the opening years of the Clinton expansion.”
“Ordinary” in this case being born in the top 5% and mobilizing into the top 1%. You know, ordinary Americans.
Report thisBy troublesum, November 23, 2007 at 1:15 pm #
The French have single payer universal health care; a median income higher than that of the US; free public education from kindergarten to college; their jobs are tenured - they can’t be fired, and they get 6 weeks of vacation per year to start. They don’t call it “The French Dream.” Their dreams are not made of the necessities of life; their dreams are elsewhere.
Report thisBy BossKitty, November 23, 2007 at 12:42 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Crooks and liars have had their way with us without remorse. The US population is polarizing into haves and have-nots. Lets see if the presidential election will demonstrate how diveded we have become. After all, “united we stand, divided we fall” is prophetic ... scary.
Report thisThe profiteers refuse to put their security at risk by taking responsibility for their actions. Politicians seem to be insulated from the consequences of their inactions.
Disgust with the disparate system breads discontent and desparation ... perfect environment for revolution. Ask any historian.
Hunger growing exponentially in the golden land of opportunity.
By P. T., November 23, 2007 at 12:06 pm #
“When the three studies were released last week, most reporters focused on the finding that African-Americans born to middle-class or upper middle-class families are earning slightly less, in inflation-adjusted dollars, than did their parents.”
That’s because reporters would rather talk about race than class. Start talking about class and the “pinko” issue arises.
Scandinavian countries (with their free colleges, etc.) have greater social mobility than the U.S. The U.S. tries to route poor kids into fighting the wars.
Report thisBy GW=MCHammered, November 23, 2007 at 9:49 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
re: #115231 by Bert
Amen, Bert! You can go from ‘Riches to Rags’ so fast in the USA these days. All it takes is a (all-too-common) doctor’s misdiagnoses and misprescribing; the American Dream of owning a home turn into a (contrived) mortgage-market nightmare; you can even win in court and still lose everything. More than once!
I spent part of my summer visiting with three traveling, well-off (and beautiful) South African ladies. Their first questions were, “When did Americans get so dumb? And why are they so mean?” (I just love their accent). See, they visited here many times in years past and see what most Americans do not, that we’ve become a Narcissistic Society:
Celebritizing celebrity-ism (“magically thinking” we are the star in our own tv commercial); Believing “we’re entitled” to ever-longer credit terms for our over-priced houses and gas-guzzling two-story trucks (thank you foreign investors and USD printing presses); Trusting as “special information” our Red-White-Blue filtered drumbeat media; “No accountability” the higher up the (upside down) ladder we’re promoted (right BushCo?); on and on all of this lead to our delusional Über Self-Important bullshit.
The ladies agreed.
Hey, anyone else notice campgrounds filling up with live-ins? How about the hundreds of tents on Hawaii’s beaches reported in the NYT not long ago? That’s the elitists’ rendition of Their America in the building. The “Haves and the Have More’s” narcissistic beating down, undermining their Middle and lower Class teammates. And why? Because they’re f*cking delusional, drunk in love with themselves.
I downsized implausibly. And I love owning my life unanchored to credit or a j-o-b. Volunteer at a convalescent center and see how most workerbees end up. It literally pays to live un-narcissistically.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, November 23, 2007 at 8:34 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Here’s a solution.
an unavoidable 70 percent tax on inherited welth for amounts OVER 1 million dollars. The only exemptions would be a family farm which would continue as a family farm, and family trusts for disabled individuals.
Use the tax money to improve schools and poorer neighborhoods.
In a land where “All people are (considered to be) are created equal it is ludicrous that most “millionaires” get their money “the old fashion way”....From Daddy. Let the bastards go out and work, like the rest of us!
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, November 23, 2007 at 6:09 am #
#115228 by Justin Case on 11/23 at 12:08 am: “The Army’s offering up to $15,000 dollars for college if you survive your first enlistment…!”
The old civil war mindset is still with the American people, uhh!!! Its leaching their very lifeblood - and they are paying for it in hypocrisy and a disabled future….....
Report thisBy Bert, November 23, 2007 at 1:04 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Carlin talked about the American Dream, with a
postscript:‘you gotta be asleep, to believe it’.
Well, he’s right. Just like Santa Claus, the Tooth
Fairy, and the Easter Bunny, the American Dream
is an idealized artifice. He who dies with the most
toys, still dies. You get your fourscore and ten,
if you’re lucky, and then thump, off in your box
to be worm food or filler for an urn. That’s life.
You’re born, with any luck you get through school
so you don’t end up permanently in the gutter,
you get married, reproduce, and start saving for
retirement which a lot of people can no longer
afford because of things like bullshit lending
rates and healthcare companies that never saw
a fee they didn’t like etc. Oh, and if you do
manage to save something, there’s people lined up
around the block, including the government, that
would like a little piece of that, please.
Low monthly payments…forever…it sure does
suck when people break faith with the public
at-large and start cramming money in their pockets.
Yes, it surely does.
So, what do you do? Cut up those credit cards,
Report thisand pay for it when you can afford it, or do
without. Pay off the house or get out of the
mortgage and just rent instead. Then, learn how
to juggle…or just be a bum. Part of the billing
reads ‘life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness’.
Well, if you’re not happy, the first two aren’t
as cool as they could be. Remedy? Take a minute,
and think about that answer. What do YOU want
out of life? Are you happy on the Yuppie-legacy
status happy wheel? You only get one life, wasting
this one living up to others demographic expectations
might be a Big Waste of it…to hell with these
people AND their money, anyway. Work to live…
By Justin Case, November 23, 2007 at 12:08 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
But havent you heard? The Army’s offering up to $15,000 dollars for college if you survive your first enlistment!
Wow!
Report this