The American Dream...

To Brandon King the American Dream is still alive, only its meaning has changed since the term was first coined. Being "middle class" is what most people are striving for, rather than a rags-to-riches story. A point that King makes is that there is an income gap that makes it difficult for those at the bottom to achieve the American Dream. However, the government has supported and helped those that are poor through welfare, and unemployment. Raising the minimum wage is also a great idea, but with people making more money, companies will cut back and hire less people. Taxing the rich more sounds great, unfortunately the rich and wealthy will spend less, if they are getting taxed higher. Therefore, they will not stimulate the economy and provide the "poor" with a chance at having a job.
I think that Brandon King did a good job with providing support for his claims. The meaning he provides for the American Dream seems more realistic and up to date.To me the American Dream is having a steady job, having a place to live, being financially stable now, and in the future. I agree that the rich should get taxed higher, but he makes a great point in stating that the rich will change their spending habits--and that impacts the economy even if we do not believe it does. There is a great income gap that needs to be fixed so that it is a smaller one; however, there has to be a balance in the world. So if there is ten rich people there has to be ten poor people, it is a sad thought.
The whole idea of a rags-to-riches life is unrealistic to me.I believe that if you have a job that provides for you and your family with food and shelter that is enough. Expecting to be rich one day, is something that can happen, but by the time you get there, you might be 60. We live in a world where people do more labor than they are getting paid for. One would think that by working more one will make more money but sadly that is not the case. Getting educated will also count as part as the American Dream, simply because if you do not have a degree you will be stuck at a minumum wage job; and  your chances of being rich decrease. The American Dream is whatever you want it to be, but then again it is a dream.