I love America and Americans but the "American Dream" died...for the most part.

Dave Taylor

Rex kwan Do
I'm going to start by saying that I didn't get the short straw in life, at all. I am blessed to have the family and possessions I do but god damn ilife isn't even close to fair for most. Here's an eye opening article to the reality of the America we live in. Palo Alto is just one example but really it's all around us. https://slopeofhope.com/2020/12/the-effect-of-asset-inflation-on-man-in-the-moon-marigolds.html I guess the part that sucks for a lot of people's that America is a matured country. The opportunity isn't there like it once was. The wealthier are mostly living on bubble money or mommy and daddy's old money. Starting out fresh in a matured country isn't as easy as it was for our ancestors who sailed over from Italy, Germany etc.
 

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
I'm going to start by saying that I didn't get the short straw in life, at all. I am blessed to have the family and possessions I do but god damn ilife isn't even close to fair for most. Here's an eye opening article to the reality of the America we live in. Palo Alto is just one example but really it's all around us. https://slopeofhope.com/2020/12/the-effect-of-asset-inflation-on-man-in-the-moon-marigolds.html I guess the part that sucks for a lot of people's that America is a matured country. The opportunity isn't there like it once was. The wealthier are mostly living on bubble money or mommy and daddy's old money. Starting out fresh in a matured country isn't as easy as it was for our ancestors who sailed over from Italy, Germany etc.

The sooner you realize nothing is real, the more harmonious you are with your thoughts and the happier you live in you head. That simple

100 years from now everything you love will be gone.
 

MMuller

Well-Known Member
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Get real. No one on Slope has sex.
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4:31PM 12/15/2020
+7
 

pooriggy

Well-Known Member
Team MTBNJ Halter's
That article was a nice story, it basically simplifies our economy to tell a story he wants to believe...and many like him want to believe.

There is still opportunity for those willing to work harder. Currently we have a contractor rebuilding features out on the golf course I work at. I've never seen people bust ass like the spanish speaking crew who work in the rain and snow, rushing like ants to complete a job. I could only imagine this is how hard the Irish and Italian immigrants must have worked when they came over and helped build this country.

To be honest I almost feel ashamed of my work ethic compared to the way these guys work. I'll put in my 8 hrs, not kill myself, take time off, go ride my bike... meanwhile that crew(7guys) is working 7 days a week, laying as much as 18 pallets of sod in a day.

They are making a better life for themselves and there children, it's a hard life but there children will benefit, as we have benefited from our fathers(and mother's.)

That's my story, it's anecdotal, kinda like yours. This country and economy is hard to define in just one story, it's different things to different people. I will say that our country is still highly sought after as there are still lots of people who want to come here...and those that "want to leave" but never do.
😀
 

w_b

Well-Known Member
You know what’s real? The distal end of my G17. I worked hard for my shit since like 13 yo. You want some of my overinflated assets, ask nicely and maybe we can work something out. Maybe not. Either way it’s my assets, taxes paid, my choice. IDGAF whether you arguing if you gonna print me up another $1200 , or maybe it’s $600, maybe $0. Don’t matter. Truth be told it really don’t matter to those who need it either — they gon’ have a $1200 party, or a $600 party, or a $0 party. I will, however, get up and go to work tomorrow. and work hard. and if I lose my job I will find another and not worry about it. FNA USA.
 
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Mahnken

Well-Known Member
That article was a nice story, it basically simplifies our economy to tell a story he wants to believe...and many like him want to believe.

There is still opportunity for those willing to work harder. Currently we have a contractor rebuilding features out on the golf course I work at. I've never seen people bust ass like the spanish speaking crew who work in the rain and snow, rushing like ants to complete a job. I could only imagine this is how hard the Irish and Italian immigrants must have worked when they came over and helped build this country.

To be honest I almost feel ashamed of my work ethic compared to the way these guys work. I'll put in my 8 hrs, not kill myself, take time off, go ride my bike... meanwhile that crew(7guys) is working 7 days a week, laying as much as 18 pallets of sod in a day.

They are making a better life for themselves and there children, it's a hard life but there children will benefit, as we have benefited from our fathers(and mother's.)

That's my story, it's anecdotal, kinda like yours. This country and economy is hard to define in just one story, it's different things to different people. I will say that our country is still highly sought after as there are still lots of people who want to come here...and those that "want to leave" but never do.
😀
How much money do they make? Because 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, at minimum wage is still under 40k a year. Their kids will be starting from the bottom just like they did. Probably have to start working at a young age to support the family. Live paycheck to paycheck and never get anywhere.

Edit: slightly over $40k. Didn't realize the minimum wage here was $10
 

stb222

Love Drunk
Jerk Squad
How much money do they make? Because 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, at minimum wage is still under 40k a year. Their kids will be starting from the bottom just like they did. Probably have to start working at a young age to support the family. Live paycheck to paycheck and never get anywhere.
But they can live like kings in the countries they came from. That is one difference, the money doesn’t necessarily stay in the US like it once did.

At least the 4 years brought us closer to making America great again!
 

rick81721

Lothar
I'm going to start by saying that I didn't get the short straw in life, at all. I am blessed to have the family and possessions I do but god damn ilife isn't even close to fair for most. Here's an eye opening article to the reality of the America we live in. Palo Alto is just one example but really it's all around us. https://slopeofhope.com/2020/12/the-effect-of-asset-inflation-on-man-in-the-moon-marigolds.html I guess the part that sucks for a lot of people's that America is a matured country. The opportunity isn't there like it once was. The wealthier are mostly living on bubble money or mommy and daddy's old money. Starting out fresh in a matured country isn't as easy as it was for our ancestors who sailed over from Italy, Germany etc.

Yeah so much better in 1900 when over 50% of the US population lived in poverty. Opportunity is what you make of it, it's always there.
 

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
Just not equal opportunity.

No its not. And when people see that, perhaps they should shift their thinking towards setting up the next generation and that doesnt mean give them everything. Gotta keep em hungry. When you start focusing on helping others your shortcomings arent front and center. The victim mentality blows.

If you’ve been here long enough, entitlement sets in. I see it in my home town. People take it in tye ass for their children and it perpetuates itself. Maintaining a bit of first generation mind set keeps that in check.

Ie- my son lost a 80 dollar baseball bat. He played with a wooden one the rest of the season. The coach tried to tell me he needs an aluminum bat- that convo was about one minute. I calculated how much he owes me for both bats and calculated hours based on minimum wage hours owed in yard work.
 
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Johnny Utah

Well-Known Member
I finance startup business’s on the reg, it is amazing what some of these entrepreneurs can do in a few years with 10% equity and the rest financed by the SBA. Entities like SCORE do the business plans and projections for FREE for them as well as help them setup their business and what they should expect. If you work hard, ask a lot of questions, and save some coin the little guy can do quite well for themselves. This country offers incredible opportunity for those willing to accept their situation and work towards their goal.

My life was landscaping and working outdoors/manual labor from 12-25, Federal Student loans with zero collateral or additional signers got me to an MBA and a job in the financial world. I missed a lot of parties and lived like a pauper, in the end I think it paid off. I was honest about my situation and tried to figure out what it would take for ME to get where I wanted to be, skipping a lot of temptations like new cars, vacations, new bikes to pay for school. If you saw me riding Allaire in 2012 my ride was a 1995 GT LTS and I rolled in a $1300 Ford Contour (that I miss dearly)....but that what I could pay for in cash at the time.

Stay Positive
 

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
You changed the argument. We were talking about equal opportunity. What chance did the poor have in 1900 to go to college??

Forget about 1900!!! Lets think outside the bubble The African kid who grew up in Sierra Leone during one of the worst civil wars in modern history. Easy to say its not our problem but thats the illness. Its sad how sick people are.
 

pooriggy

Well-Known Member
Team MTBNJ Halter's
Howmuch money do they make? Because 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, at minimum wage is still under 40k a year. Their kids will be starting from the bottom just like they did.
I would venture to say they make between 40-60K/yr. They are doing well on this job because it's a County(govt) job, they get paid prevailing wage.

You talk as if 40K is peanuts, and for most it is given the way they spend it. However for those willing to sacrifice and get by with less to provide a better future it's a chance.

I listen to stories from my mother on how they grew up and how little they had. Her grandparents came over from Poland, it was a hard life but every generation had it better then the previous and hardships lessened.

This thread is going down the rabbit hole of capitalism vrs socialism and I don't expect to change anyone's ideology. Every system has flaws and people get left behind, we are not perfect and no system of government with economic policies can provide a utopian country.
 
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