Is The American Dream Dead?

Camille Bay

10/12/14

10:30 a.m. Class

Debbie Cook

            Is the American Dream dead? Is it now unimaginable to work hard, give it your all, and then advance farther than the generation before? According to the recent study published by the Washington Post, and the CNN Research Corporation poll, Americans aren’t so sure their children will have a better life than they do (Cillizza, 2014, paragraph 1). In fact, in this recent study, a whopping 63 percent of Americans believe that their children will be worse off than they are, and that the American Dream, as they knew it, has become unattainable (Cillizza, 2014, paragraph 2).

            So, why is this happening? Is there a significant reason or shift in our psychology to make us believe in such a way? Well, there seems to be two particularly interesting reasons why there has been a large loss of confidence in our land of opportunity; and they are, first, a decline in faith in our social institutions (like government and business) and second, an increased annual pressure and financial hardship to the American people (due to bad economic recessions and job-loss) (Cillizza, 2014, paragraph 3).

            That’s right, in mentioning the first point, it seems as though there is a very large distrust in our country’s social institutions, especially when it comes to big government and business. In fact, a very popular and renowned political theorist named Ivan Krastev states that “the trust and efficiency of democracy has begun to erode. People feel less like their vote matters – and that while they may be able to change who is in power, they are not able to affect what actions their government takes – which in turn, leads to a decline in electoral turnout, coupled with a growing sense of distrust of those in power” (Krastev, posted by Torgovnick, 2012, How pervasive has government distrust gotten?). Results like this, along with the ever-growing distrust among greedy business tycoons as well, have led people to feel uneasy and have fueled the belief that Americans can’t ever get ahead or possibly ever work hard enough to fully achieve the American Dream.

            Second, with our last point, it seems as though the American people have faced an increased burden and financial hardship these last few years due to an unfortunate set of economic recessions and job-loss. (Cillizza, 2014, paragraph 3). In fact, in another Washington Post article, written by the notable business editor Saabira Chaudhuri, it explains a study that reveals how young adults are being affected by this tough economy. It states that young Americans today are more likely to be unemployed now than at any other time since World War II and that 24 percent of young adults reported to have taken an unpaid job to get experience, or 50 percent of them to have taken a job they didn’t want in order to pay the bills (Chaudhuri, 2012, paragraphs 1 and 5).

            With these unfortunate results, it is easy to see why the American Dream is thought of as an impossible goal, out of reach to the general public. Yet, despite the growing distrust staggering numbers and percentages that continue to threaten Americans, I believe that the American Dream still lives and that as long as young and old Americans alike push forward, follow what they love, and truly give it their all, despite the circumstances, they will most definitely succeed in realizing the ultimate American Dream.

Works Cited

Chaudhuri, Saabira. (2012, February 9). Poor economy affecting young adults beyond the scope of finding a job. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/feb/09/young-adults-affected-had-economy

Cillizza, Chris. (2014, June 5). Is the American Dream Dead? The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/06/05/is-the-american-dream-dead/

Krastev, Ivan; posted by Torgovnick, Kate. (2012). How pervasive has government distrust gotten? Retrieved from TED Blog website: http://www.blog.ted.com/2012/08/13/how-pervasive-has-government-distrust-gotten/

The Trusted Two: the two qualities that make up the most professional employees:

Camille Bay

10:30a.m. Class

Debbie Cook

Many characteristics have proven to be important when making up a professional worker, but the two most crucial qualities that set the tipping point, and form truly excellent employees, are instinct and trust.

Indeed, instinct has a way of providing vision, and even flair to an employee; allowing them to carve their own unique path on the world by following their own unique style. Whereas trust is also equally important as it encourages honorable actions in the workplace, and even better reliability.

That’s right, in talking first about the characteristic of instinct, I believe that at the end of the day an individual can learn just about any skill they need to be successful, yet that inherent ability to follow your gut is something that makes a truly great employee and cannot truly be taught. In fact, in his newly released book, exactly all about the subject of instinct, the notable author T.D. Jakes states that instinct is a personally unique internal compass that cannot really be learned. He goes onto to say that whether you’re an athlete in the “zone” or an investor with a keen sense of timing, instinct is that extra something special that can take the mundane and make it magical. (Jakes, 2014, pg. 2). In other words, instinct is that extra special “it” factor that sets individuals apart from one another and allows them to place their own distinctive spin on the world. In addition to this, instinct seems to provide individuals and employees alike with a vision. That is because, when the noise of the world is cut out, and that deep-ingrained, natural set of signals is followed, a sense of direction is produced leaving an individual with some pretty amazing results after tuning into that frequency.

For sure, instinct is incredibly important, and the first of the trusted two characteristics that make up the best employees. However the second equally important characteristic of trust is just as beneficial. Exactly, when it really comes down to it I’m sure that we can all agree that we all wish to surround ourselves with people that we can trust. I’m confident that when push comes to shove all employers desire to work with those individuals who they feel they can trust and depend on to get the job done right. In fact, Susan M. Heathfield, a Human Resources Expert states that honorable actions and trust go hand in hand, because when you put in place supportive, protective, and honorable policies at work you build a long-term relationship of trust and respect which ultimately leads to more reliability as well. (About, 2014, Top 10 Ways To Build Trust at Work). Excellent employees know that their employers have placed great confidence in them to represent the company well and deliver products and services on time. And so it is those employees who continue to honor those practices and deliver on time that are truly great.

All around, the trusted two characteristics of instinct and trust are incredibly important in making up the most excellent employees. These two characteristics focus in on placing the just right people around you to create the all the right energies and attitudes needed for success.

Works Cited:

Jakes, T.D. (2014, May). Instinct. Faithwords.

Heathfield, Susan. (2014). Top 10 Ways To Build Trust At Work: Specific Trust Relationship Building and Maintaining Steps. Retrieved from http://www.humanresources.about.com.