Latest news with #AmericanDream
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
The American dream is breaking its promise: Here's how it's failing millions
Once upon a time in America, the path to prosperity was etched in certainty. You toiled hard, back slouched, played by the rules, and were promised a slice of the good life on a silver platter, homeownership, financial stability, and a dignified retirement. This narrative formed the very heart of the American Dream. But here we are in 2025, where that promise has begun to dwindle, appearing hollow from within. The ivory towers have been reconstructed into mirages, metaphorically speaking. For millions, it feels like a cruel joke, a fairy tale spun to keep people compliant, heads bowed under the weight of debt, overwork, and disillusionment. The ladder that once lifted families into prosperity has splintered, and every rung seems poised to break under pressure. "Be grateful, not greedy" Say thank you even if you do not feel it. Yes, that is what the work culture demands in Silicon Valley. Today's professionals are taught to be grateful for having any job at all, even those that pay meagrely. If someone raises their voice against toxic bosses, exploitative hours, or substandard wages, and you are labelled ungrateful, replaceable, or worse, lazy and unwilling. Meanwhile, the corner office is minting money. Their bonus numbers are surging, buybacks have skyrocketed, and promotion promises have been real. What are workers being served? A message of knowing their place and being glad of it. Home sweet mirage Once considered a milestone of adulthood, homeownership has become a luxury for the privileged few. The average American is no longer being able to afford to build their own home, no matter how diligently they save. Even with dual incomes, families find themselves locked out by absurd down payments and brutal lending terms. Education's false promise College degrees have lost their shine in the job market. Rather, it comes with a heavy price tag. Graduates emerge not with a head start, but a financial ankle shackle. Many spend decades clawing their way out of debt, only to discover that their 'safe' white-collar jobs are being eyed hungrily by automation and AI. A diploma may still hang on the wall, but the return on investment? That's evaporating into the ether. When side jobs become lifelines Side hustles were once reserved for the passionate, now become a necessity in the American job market. People deliver meals by night and freelance on weekends, not to get ahead, but to stay afloat. The hustle isn't noble anymore; it's necessary. The grind is endless. The goalposts keep moving. And still you will be able to hear the chorus saying, 'Work harder.' The vanishing sunset years The picture of retirement is changing altogether. It was once visualised as beach walks, gardening, maybe some well-earned travel? For many, that's vaporware. Pensions are nearly extinct, 401(k)s are insufficient, and Social Security is stretched thin. Retirement, once a chapter, now reads like a luxury. Older workers hang on not for a purpose, but because they can't afford the alternative. Freedom to rest has become a mirage, chased for decades, only to vanish just when it seems in reach. The great productivity swindle American workers are more productive than ever. But is that productivity translating into reward? An emphatic no. Productivity gains fatten shareholder profits, not worker wallets. Real wages remain stagnant. The cost of living balloons. The mantra now is to 'lean in,' but leaning in without support only leads to collapse. Loyalty is a one-way street Once, staying loyal to a company meant job security, advancement, and eventually, a gold watch and a farewell party. Today, that loyalty is a liability. Layoffs come with zero warning. Full-time roles are replaced by gig contracts. Workers are cut loose and told to be 'resilient,' while corporations gut the workforce and fatten their margins. You can give your all, and still be shown the door. So... what dream, exactly? The American Dream wasn't supposed to be a bait-and-switch. It was sold as a compact between individual effort and systemic reward. But today, that compact lies in tatters. People have kept their end of the bargain, working longer hours, taking on more debt, making sacrifice after sacrifice. And yet, the reward slips further out of reach. What we're witnessing isn't just disillusionment, it's betrayal. A setup cloaked in slogans. A system that preaches fairness while hoarding opportunity. The dream hasn't just died. It's been commodified, sold off, and used as a smoke screen. And now, the curtain's finally been pulled back. The workers aren't asleep, they're waking up. And the question they're asking isn't 'How can I chase the dream?' It's 'Whose dream was this in the first place?' Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
‘American Dream' making a comeback as President Trump makes country great again
Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include your full name, address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Submission does not guarantee publication. Email submissions to opinion@ 'American Dream' making a comeback because of President Trump President Donald Trump's skill as a negotiator is clearly illustrated by major companies, e.g., GE, IBM, J&J, Apple, Merck, and others planning to build factories in America. More jobs plus new tax deductions create opportunities for all Americans. Joe Biden's open-door policy released millions of illegal aliens into the United States. Remember the caravans of thousands of illegals walking from South America through Mexico to the U.S.? Many of the women and children were abused or killed. President Trump and his staff are working hard to arrest and deport the most dangerous illegals first. Unfortunately, liberal Democrats stand in his way at every turn. He has even had to call out the National Guard to maintain the rule of law in California. I for one am sick and tired of liberal Democrats doing nothing but complaining about Trump rather than helping to 'Make America Great Again.' God bless America. William Thomas, Pensacola Why can't utility companies share conduits already in place? For years we have had Cox underground cables in our neighborhood to locate every time we want to plant a bush. Then, this spring, AT&T puts in their fiber cable service by digging up patches of our yards, tunneling under driveways and installing separate cable conduits and access boxes (and incidentally busting the water main in two places on 12th Avenue). Now we learn that T-Mobile fiber is going to do the same thing AT&T did (hopefully not bust the water main). Who is approving these contracts? Why can't they make these companies share the conduits they already have in place? Will every company who wants to provide internet cable to our neighborhood have to chop up our lawns and add access boxes to my little 50 foot wide front yard? I already have a large Florida Power & Light transformer, a large Cox Cable box, an old AT&T phone box, a cover plate over the new AT&T box, and a street light post. I don't know where T-Mobile will put their box. I don't have any more room. I know all of this is on the utility easement, but there ought to be some type of compensation for having a utility center in half of my front yard! James Day, Pensacola No excuse not to fix Jefferson Street parking lot elevator As a local resident I pay for parking all the time. In spite of the parking income the city collects, the elevator at the Jefferson Street parking lot has remained broken for weeks. I have spoken to some of the local businesses, and they have unfortunately not gotten any help with it. The city needs to get it fixed. Stanford Morse, Pensacola Pace's U.S. 90 and Woodbine intersection is a mess To whoever designed the intersection at U.S. 90 and Woodbine in Pace, you can't fix stupid. Bill Helms, Pace Early learning development pivotal to healthy environment for kids Early childhood development is an ever-increasing mission. Over the years the wellbeing of our children must remain the highest priority, Understanding the ever-increasing needs of each individual child is crucial. Individual Educational Planning is of the upmost importance and should be based on each child's individual developmental need, and not a majority census. As the 'early learning teacher' we have a crucial role in the overall development of each child within the early learning environment. So, facilitating and understanding the child's needs, not only highlights the 'individual educational needs of children,' but through careful observations the teacher can also track the 'emotional, social, physical, and other needs associated with the child. This is pivotal. By providing a loving, safe, educational, and healthy environment for children to learn, grow, and develop, children have support and opportunities needed for years to come, regardless of their ethnicity, social, economic, educational, or religious background. This simple formula opens a gateway for children to receive the essential ingredients needed on so many levels. Elizabeth Wright, Cantonment 'Alligator Alcatraz' is nothing but Florida's concentration camp Florida has a concentration camp! Giving it a catchy name, "Alligator Alcatraz", does not change the fact that people are being swept up and placed into horrible living conditions without cause. Go online to contact your senators or call senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody at 202-224-3121 in Washington, D.C. (This is the number for all federal senators). You get the switchboard and will be sent to their office, probably to leave a message, so have one ready. If you need to, borrow my message: "Close down Florida's concentration camp, Alligator Alcatraz. Shame on America. Shame on Florida". Are you afraid to call? Afraid this will put you on a "list"? That says it all, doesn't it. The way we lose our rights is by not standing up for others' rights. I am a proud Navy retiree who will never give up on America. Stand together or fall apart. Ruth C. Edwards, Pensacola Downtown Pensacola parking causing businesses to lose support In response to Jim Little's article on downtown parking and Mayor DC. Reeves, who thinks it's working: You have no idea how many people no longer shop or dine downtown Pensacola who live in Escambia County. You apparently can't put data to that number. But I, for one, no longer come and support local restaurants and shopping in downtown Pensacola because of it. Most of the people I discuss this with feel the same. We have 'Pensacola' in our addresses but feel we cannot support our city. So sad after all that Mr. Studer did to make it a viable downtown area. When the businesses begin to fail, maybe you will again address the 'data'. Kathy Cook, Pensacola History will look back on MAGA and 'Alligator Alcatraz' in shame While thinking of the unfortunate people locked up by Trump's ICE night riders in 'Alligator Alcatraz,' maybe think about what the average "illegal" has done. Things like put the roof on your house after a hurricane, picked crops in conditions no American will tolerate, cleaned your trashed hotel room, grunt work in the background of practically every DIY TV program, spent their money in town on food and shelter, not on financial planners, and picked feathers off of chickens and guts out of pigs on processing lines. All those jobs Americans won't do any more, but the "illegals" are eager to get. They showed up for a scheduled immigration hearing and were kidnaped by masked men with guns. They are "illegal" only by the arbitrary definition of powerful people with absolutely no empathy. The undocumented workers are simply poor people trying to get through the week, like on the Statue of Liberty, following a route traveled for 15.000 years. What is wrong with you Trump and MAGA people? Alligator Alcatraz is terrible. You should be ashamed, which is where history is going to put you. Grover Diehl, Gulf Breeze Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Pensacola News Journal using the link at the bottom of the page under Stay Connected.
Axios
a day ago
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: Heritage Action hires Tiffany Justice from Moms for Liberty
Heritage Action has enlisted Tiffany Justice, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, to serve as executive vice president, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Justice is bringing her grassroots organizing skills to unite the conservative movement around the Trump agenda. It's also a signal that Heritage Action, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation, will be more focused ahead of the 2026 midterms on parental rights and education reform — two issues that GOP strategists are convinced helped President Trump expand his coalition and recapture the White House. In 2021, Justice co-founded Moms for Liberty, which is "dedicated to empowering parents to advocate effectively for their children at school board meetings and across all levels of government," according to its website. What they're saying:"Tiffany Justice is a force of nature, and her leadership comes at a critical moment when effective advocacy is essential," said Kevin Roberts, the president of Heritage Action and the Heritage Foundation. "It's not a time to manage decline or preserve the status quo, but to go on offense for the American Dream," he added. "Tiffany is a patriot and has been fighting for parents and the rights of all Americans for years," said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Zoom out: Heritage Action, founded in 2010 to fight President Obama's health care plans, was one of the first groups to run ads boosting Trump's cabinet nominees. In December, it launched a $1 million campaign to persuade potentially wobbly Republicans to back Trump's picks. The ads targeted the home states of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and former leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), along with seven other states with GOP senators. Zoom in: Justice has also impressed Trump, who praised her organizing skills during the presidential campaign.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Florida senator calls on New Yorkers who 'hate socialism' to move south with aerial ad
Florida Sen. Rick Scott flew an aerial ad across the skies of New York City on Saturday with a message encouraging residents to relocate to the Sunshine State to escape socialism, should Zohran Mamdani become mayor of the Big Apple. The banner was seen above Coney Island and Jones Beach as beachgoers soaked up the sun. "Hate socialism?" read Scott's aerial ad. "Us too! Move 2 FL." Scott addressed the aerial banner in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "While many New Yorkers are out enjoying the beach this weekend, we will be giving them a friendly reminder that in addition to our world class beaches, Florida is the state where you can escape socialism," said Scott, who headed the state as governor from 2011-2019. The Republican senator slammed New York City and the politics of Mamdani. "New York City once represented the American Dream – a city where anything was possible," Scott said. "Today, it has now become the city where only billionaires can prosper, Jewish students are attacked on campus, capitalism is shunned and radical socialists like Zohran Mamdani are celebrated." Mamdani handily won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary last month against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani is seen as a frontrunner in the race for City Hall, though many in the Democratic establishment have yet to fully embrace the socialist nominee. Scott said New York City reaped the rewards of capitalism, "the best system in the world," which is now "being villainized by the Democrats all across this country." "Democrats are working around the clock to discredit President Trump and tear down our country and rebuild it in their woke, radical image through socialist policies," the Republican said. "But, this isn't new. It's just an old, barbaric, discredited idea that's failed every time it's been tried. Just look at Cuba and Venezuela and the many families who fled those brutal regimes to live in Florida." Scott said that during his time in political office he worked to ensure that families in Florida could achieve the American Dream, including good jobs, education and safe communities. "That is the American Dream and it is deeply unfortunate that it is completely slipping away in New York," he said. "New York families deserve better."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian tech couple earning over $1 million unable to build a life in US: 'We are miserable'
An Indian techie who moved to the US in pursuit of the American Dream has revealed that, even after a decade in the country and earning elite degrees, he was ultimately unable to build a fulfilling life there. In a deeply personal Reddit post titled "Unable to build a life in the US. What next?", a 32-year-old tech professional details how he and his wife, both FAANG employees earning a combined $1.35 million annually, have found themselves emotionally and physically burnt out. The techie and his wife, earning $1.35 million annually, have found themselves emotionally and physically burnt out.(Representational) 'From the outside, our lives seem perfect. But we're miserable,' the post reads. While the author earns $400,000 and his wife nearly $950, 000 at a top tech firm, he admits that his career has plateaued. A poor performance review this year and an expiring H1B visa now put his stay in the US in jeopardy. His wife, the higher earner, has faced her own battles: battling anxiety, depression, anaemia, and a string of surgeries. Now, the couple is considering moving to Singapore through the Tech Pass program but wants to settle back in India a few years later. "How do I move forward? Our lives are miserable in the US, my stagnant career, my wife's toxic workplace and anxiety. I feel hopeless. We have all this money, and life looks bleak. I don't know what I'm doing wrong that our lives are so miserable. I'm open to any and all suggestions," he says. Users flooded the post with advice for the couple. "You need to take a step back and enjoy the simpler things in life. Both of you have done extremely well career-wise, but it's taking a toll physically and mentally," said one of them. Another wrote, "First of all, the amount of money you guys have, you can live an extremely good life anywhere in the world, so please stop stressing about a poor rating at your job. You seriously need a break."
