Commentary

Just An Online Minute... American Dream Index

  • by July 7, 2006
A word of warning: The following has nothing to do with online media, marketing or advertising. But it may well be more important than online media, marketing and advertising. Here it is:

A majority of Americans say they're not living the American Dream, according to a new survey conducted by Dr. Douglas E. Schoen for the Aspen Institute's annual Ideas Festival. Now is that any real surprise to anyone? Of course it all depends on one's definition or concept of the so-called "American Dream," doesn't it? Overall, Americans work more hours and take fewer vacations than people in other parts of the world. An astounding number of Americans have no health insurance.

Among the survey's findings:

  • While 81 percent of survey respondents agree that America is the land of opportunity, the idea isn't something that is being realized, it is more of an abstract concept.

  • Seventy-five percent say the American Dream is somewhat broken, with just 1 in 4 saying it is "alive and well" today.

  • Just 49 percent of respondents agree that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can lead a solid middle-class life, while 51 percent of Americans disagree with that statement.

  • Seventy-seven percent of those polled agree that America's political system has failed to provide answers at a time when Americans are increasingly alarmed about how technology is reshaping their lives.

  • Seventy-two percent agree that today the world has changed, but our political parties have not.

    Schoen, a Democratic party strategist, says: "The rising costs of healthcare, the unaffordability of a college education and the need to self-finance your retirement leaves most Americans today caught in an affordability crisis."

    Schoen's survey finds that after six years of Republican rule in both the White House and Congress, there is no desire to move the country to the left--or the right. Seventy-four percent say that government should pursue policies that grow the economy, compared with just 26 percent who say that government should pursue policies that redistribute wealth from the richest to the middle class and poorest.

    Sixty-three percent of the respondents believe government has a constructive role to play in supporting institutions like the church, marriage, and family.

    Ninety-five percent agree with the statement: "Our country is strongest when it is united and together and therefore we need to find common solutions to our problems that both Democrats and Republicans agree with."

    The survey was conducted among 1,200 American voters and has an overall margin of error of +/-1.44 percent.

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