Viability of the American Dream (2602)Aaron Richards Professor BaskervilleSOC 1118 December 2015Viability of the American DreamThe economic hardships from the mortgage crisis has caused questions concerning the viability of the American dream. There has been much growth and prosperity for individuals in this nation, but there has also been growth in the economic disparity amongst Americans. There is much inequality and there are forces within which drive it to unprecedented levels. Films such as Park Avenue Money, Power, & The American Dream directed by Alex Gibney help to apply a context as to how the powers that be have had and maintain their influence. There are also implications for the future as a result of this influence which millennials have given their opinion on in Jonathan Chews article "Half of Millennials Believe the American Dream Is Dead. I think that the viability of the American dream is very low. I truly feel that it has never existed for all. This is not to be pessimistic, for I say this only because this country has manipulated and used countless individuals. In ways the American dreams origin is a result of those manipulations. Slavery, the manifest destiny, and imperialism are historical examples in this regard. What the common man desires is often at times unfortunately false hope, for there is an unseen influence involved. For example, with a mortgage literally meaning that you do not own your home until its paid off, what are truly facets of the American dream? I think that it is very likely that I will be able to improve my socio-economic position during the course of my lifetime. I remembered when I barely made $5,000 in a given year and had to rely on other resources to maintain. To have in ways quintupled that amount is a testament to the plights of many in my socio-economic condition. It is also hope that change can come if the challenge is taken on. I believe in education and my impending career within teaching to be my agent to improvement. The same factors and opportunities exist for other members of my generation. Education is the resource to make those dreams reality. Particular hindrances would be non-prudent decision making either stemming from pressure of the environment or particular socio-economic conditions. Perseverance is key in a society as such, and I hope that my generation as a whole understands this on their quest to economic mobility.Does someone truly attribute their thanks to the individual which made their $350 shoe for an infinitesimal portion of the market price, or do they only feel fulfilled about wearing that $350 pair of shoes? In ways the American dream has shifted to being the agent used to fuel commercialism to reflect prosperity, rather than being prosperous.Commercialism, the banking system, and greater elite, or the more popular term the 1% are forces driving up inequality in our society. From a conflict perspective amongst these three areas there is a natural relationship within. For commercialism there is a consumer and retailer. For the banking system there is a lender and a borrower. Within the mases of the elite, there are those that have and those that do not. There is natural tension between these groups, but the economic hardships and pressure are not on those in the dominant role within these various settings. The burden or challenges are often attributed to the have-nots as the film referenced. The article also had some interesting statistics: education level played a significant role in determining the vitality of the American Dream. 58% of millennials who graduated from college said the Dream was alive for them personally, while for those who were not in college or have never enrolled in one, only 42% said the same (Chew). Education is also a prominent factor, but since many educated individuals are still affected by the inequality in our society, it shows the deliberate nature of how those that have or the elites, can place burdens on those whom do not.These burdens or challenges from these forces makes it difficult for society to function for the interests of all. This would have a negative impact toward the quest for economic mobility. Commercialism creates a cannibalistic attitude which helps attribute to the shift in how the American dream is viewed. Is it the items in which we have, or our ability to attain those items? The banking system can create financial flexibility and assistance at times, but many of the unforeseen fess and surrounding logistics conflict with the American dream. Banks make millions of dollars annually from services and fees that do not always benefit the customer. The elite prosper off of the lacking of the lower class, and according to the film are taxed at a significantly lower rate proportionally. How can those that earn less lose a higher percentage of their income? The conjunction of these factors appear to only keep the elite in control economically, and thus gain the control to manipulate whoever is deemed under them. Conflict is a part of everyday life in all societies according to Karl Marx, but when one group has success at the expense of another, it shows that there can be enough for both. The elite attain the American dream at the expense of anyone else being able to.Works CitedChew, Jonathan. "Half of Millennials Believe the American Dream Is Dead."Leadership. Fortune Magazine, 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream. Dir. Alex Gibney. Democracy Pictures, LLC, 2012. Web.