American Dream

[Rjames]

I have some really wonderful neighbors who immigrated from the Philippines about 6 years ago. He's 71 and she's 67+. She was a housewife in the Philippines who raised kids, but never worked outside the home. He had some sort of security job at Manila airport for over 40 years. It was their dream for many years to retire in America. When they came to the US they lived with relatives at first. They got jobs at a large retail chain and saved their money for a house. They bought their house in 2006 and I met them in 08. They worked, and worked, and smiled, and waived. They told me they were going to retire for good as soon as they were eligible for Social Security. Last year the wife had to quit working because of some sort of disability. (they both worked the same hours at the same store because she doesn't know how to drive.) Even after she stopped working, he worked five nights a week no matter what. (one night I gave him a ride because his van wouldn't start and he didn't want to miss.) Today he tells me that they are moving to northern California to live with relatives because he hasn't worked in several weeks. (I don't know the circumstance of his job ending). He says they have income (I assume from his job in the Philippines) but that neither of them get social security - they haven't worked in the US long enough to qualify for those benefits yet. It seems their American dream is going up in smoke.

I feel bad for these people. They dreamed of America for many years. They saw more than a few relatives come here and do well. They worked and worked, came here legal, worked some more, tried to earn their SS checks the right way, and the wheels appear to be comming off.

[Stud95]

Rjames, I can't imagine how many millions of folks feel that same way. We cannot support people like this anymore because the wealthy in this country don't pay their fair share. We are going to end up with 10% unemployment as the 'new normal'

[rainman]

Stud95, I don't see how there is a middle class any more. Full time jobs vault you into the upper class, imo. You don't hear anybody talking about the American dream anymore. Immigrants need to find their way to China or Brazil

[greenpeace]

rainman, that's a bit dramatic, don't you think? 85% of Americans are still working full time jobs, mind you. I know things aren't great but I don't think somebody pulling in a job for $70k per year is upper class. That's a good living in a lot of places in the US, just not elite wealthy

[gibbons]

Bye, Bye, American Pie, The wealthy are spitting right in your eye, Take your foreclosed home and jobless guy and let's raise them taxes on wealthy till they cry....Bye, Bye, American Pie

[Homer]

Gibbons, nice jingle. If I were jobless, which I am not thank God, I would be fuming over Obama and congress focusing on every kind of legislation except that which will help job growth and inspire companies to hire. November elections are going to be one heck of a message

[Griffen]

Rjames, millions of homes have gotten more occupants the past three years. Unemployed relatives sharing a roof is the new American Dream, I guess

[Wanker94]

Unemployment for young adults under 30 is nearing 25% which is outrageous. This new wave of college grads is getting kicked straight in the teeth because they are looking at jobs that last year's grads are looking at also

[Rjames]

Griffen, yes I'm aware of that. My family has two head of housholds who live on Social Security alone. We have discussed buying a big house and having three generations under one roof.

[Bill Naster]

Rjames, I really appreciate your honesty here. I would love to be a fly on the wall of your family's discussions about politics, life in general. In so many ways, I think America is going back to how we lived 120 years ago