August 18, 2012

How Americans really live. Donna Smith's "Dead Woman Working: American Dream Died Long Ago"

"Whether it’s a slow and grueling death like mine through healthcare crisis, debt, and bankruptcy due to a healthcare system singularly beholden to profit or the swift and sure deaths in wars waged for profit or the brutality of what we do to our poor, the class in control doesn’t care how they stay on top. They do not care about you and they do not care about me."

What the world should know about "the American Dream":

"It was a slow and torturous death, my American dream.  And for millions of others, I am guessing it is the same.  Nothing this current round of politicos is planning to do can restore it.  Just like there is nothing to being a little bit pregnant, there is nothing anyone can do to breathe life back into what once seemed possible.  Now I just hang on waiting to die.

This piece is not about who will or will not be our president or vice president, as after voting in every election since the 1970s, I am pretty sure what I need and want isn’t coming from any of them. 

When I launched into my adult life as a rather average American woman, I held dear all the illusions that I could work my way out of any financial or societal calamity if only I had the spirit and drive to do so.  I was so wrong.  I was born into a working class family where my parents struggled and worked hard to make sure I was positioned with an education and life experiences to live a better life than they had and perhaps struggle a little less.  It was all for naught.

No matter whether a Republican like Nixon, Ford, Reagan or Bush -- either one -- or Democrats like Carter, Clinton, or Obama, the real chances were always next to none that I would actually “make it” and also live a life of purpose I so desperately wanted.  I once read a text in college about how difficult it really is for most people in America to break out of their native-born class standings.  I didn’t really care much about that as my mom and dad did a wonderful job of providing all that I needed and then some.  I would have been really happy if my hard work had been enough to secure that standard of living.  But my work was all for naught too. 

My dreams weren’t outrageous and of great wealth.  No, my dreams were of a comfortable home, food on the table, children, a meaningful job, and perhaps the “freedom from want” signaled by not being terrified that I wouldn’t make it to my next paycheck."...

Read full article here: Published on Friday, August 17, 2012 by Common Dreams