The Fading American Dream

++The Detroit Free Press ran a piece today about how the American Dream is seen as unobtainable by a majority of Americans now. By the American Dream,Americans believe it is not about getting rich but having security. This means having a healthy and personally fulfilling life and being able to retire in comfort. 

++The Brookings Institute conducted a poll in 2008, which found that 3/4ths of Americans believed that the American Dream was harder to obtain than ever before. Of course, the poll was conducted during the Great Recession.

++USA Today put a price tag on the American Dream. For a family of 4,including a house,cars and medical care and retirement fund,the total is $130,000 per year. Of course, you can move to cheaper areas. But think about it,only 1 in 8 Americans earned $130,000 a year. The median income of the American household is $51,000. 

++No wonder people are anxious and frightened of the future.

++Previous studies have found "happiness" in terms of income equals $75,000 per year. That seems to be the magic psychological number.