Quote Originally Posted by Alan View Post
You know, up till now, I hadn't realized that I was a victim, that I and my progeny haven't actually achieved more than our parents and grandparents. I thought I was living the American Dream. I feel so silly!
I don't think anyone is saying that you're not living the dream. I think the difference in perspective is that you seem to believe that it's entirely up to the individual whether they achieve it but others of us acknowledge that there are a lot of external realities that prevent many from realizing it. And also a lot of specifics of some people's lives that make it easier for them to achieve it. Just the fact that your parents and grandparents (and mine) achieved a level of the dream puts you (and me) miles ahead of many people.

Just as Peggy pointed out that each president doesn't start from zero, neither does each individual who is striving for the American Dream. Some start from plus 10 or plus 5000. Some also start from -10 or -5000. Government policy can do a lot towards leveling out those starting points so that as many people as possible can achieve the dream.