In
“The American Dream Is Over?” Cal Thomas talks about the American Dream (“building
a life based on foundational principles.”) This dream of a stable life is
dwindling in the eye of the American. Thomas says that it is over because of
expansion, over-taxing, and over-spending done by big government. The American
dream seems to have not changed but become increasingly difficult to obtain.
The change in society and culture of America along with the politicians,
according to Cal Thomas, is the reason for the increase struggle in obtaining this
said dream. Thomas’s method of writing, in my opinion, is more entertaining for
me to read and therefore better to get his point across. Although it was
obviously biased it did not put me to sleep like that of “Why are the Rich
getting Richer, and the Poor, Poorer.”
Robert Reich, writer of “Why are the Rich getting Richer,
and the Poor, Poorer”, does an excellent job of stating the numbers and facts.
He backs up all of his statements with an example. He explains that the rich
are getting richer by outsourcing. When they move the jobs to other countries
where people work for cheaper, the poorer people lose their jobs becoming
poorer. This is the main premise of the work in which Reich created. His
argument has more evidence therefore seems more substantial. Although this is
true, I believe that Cal Thomas even with his lack of evidence did a better job
of keeping the reader’s attention and bringing his thoughts to your attention
without lulling you to sleep.
Cal Thomas’s argument for the stem of poverty in America has, at the very least, a questionable backing. Thomas blames the government for the ‘attitude’ that is behind the diminishing of the American Dream. However, the only political party that he cites as a culprit for this dilemma is the Democratic Party. Also, he only cites liberalism as a political ideology that is responsible for Americans being dependent on the government. Furthermore, Thomas’s argument lacks a definite correlation between government programs and the decline in the American average standard of living. Moreover, Thomas makes a parallelism between societal strictures that are commonly taught to citizens at a young age and the possible solution to the problem. Thomas fails to take into that the American Dream, in the current century, is not a homogenous and concise entity. It fits the personal definition of comfort and happiness of a diverse country. Reich’s intent was not to entertain the reader with a funny anecdote or a comically extreme point of view. His intent was to inform the reader about the issues that exist behind the view of the average citizen that lead to the declining standard of living for lower income citizens. Reich’s argument includes clear and direct language that adequately supports his argument that outsourcing is a cause of this decline. Furthermore, Reich includes large sections where he explains how a system is corrupt and ties it back to how it affects the United States’ economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it was easier to read and did not put me to sleep like the rich get richer and the poor get poorer but i feel like it did not do the topic justice. It seemed to be repetitive on its topics which really made me want to put the book down.
ReplyDeleteI like the second one because even though it was boring it gave me a better context to follow. It had different topics than just a whole overview like the first piece.
I agree with your opinion on the first topic that society has made it even more challenging for common Americans to obtain the American Dream. Whereas in the past, it wasn't as difficult and was more of a norm to outdo what your parents had done previously. To obtain the American Dream nowadays is more difficult because people now expect everything to be handed to them, whereas in the past it was believed that if you worked hard enough you would eventually obtain your dream. People today don't have the motivation, integrity, and ingenuity that it requires to live the American Dream because it takes more work. A prime example of why it is harder to live the American Dream, is the outsourcing described in the story, "Why are the Rich getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer?"
ReplyDeleteI agree that the american dream is over for the average person because, the opportunity people had in the past just isn't there in todays culture. I think that because the way people are categorized, its harder for the average person to achieve the american dream, but further up the line, it is much easier. I think there are many factors that determine whether the American dream is achievable as a whole. Robert Reich does do a great job of giving facts that seem unrelated at times,but he gets his point across. I agree that outsourcing is more affordable for america, but it gives jobs to people across the sea for merely pennies, and I think that is wrong. I would rather be paid less and be employed than not work for a companybecause it is too expensive to employ me.
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