March 15th, 2009American Dream – Nickel And Dimed Or Scratch Beginnings
Have we become a nation obsessed with bank bailouts, and taxpayer funded mortgage subsidies? Or is there hope for the American Dream? According to Barbara Ehrenreich, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to move up from lower to middle class in America. Her book, called Nickel and Dimed, tells the story of how she temporarily gave up her middle class life, and with only $1000 in cash and a laptop computer, started on her quest for $7 per hour jobs to test the waters. The end result was her conclusion that living check to check on unskilled labor jobs was just to difficult. Apparently many universities have agreed with her, and allowed her to deliver her pessimistic remarks at graduation ceremonies. For the full story, check out her book.
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Adam Shepard was one such student who did read her book, but opted to try the challenge himself. He picked a random city, and with only $25 in his pocket, and NO LAPTOP, he started his quest. How did he do? Quite well! He started off living in a homeless shelter, secured himself a low paying job, and within a few months was able to afford a used truck and an apartment. Check out the 20/20 interview of him, where he recounts his story, and even offers a few criticisms of Barbara Ehrenreich’s approach. Apparently, while Adam sacrificed comfort by living in homeless shelter, Barbara was staying in hotels and buying new $40 jeans.
If you like the video, be sure to purchase Adam’s book, entitled Scratch Beginnings.
Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream by Adam W. Shepard
After reading the book, then ask yourself – Is the American Dream really dead? Must we continue on our quest to a welfare nation?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Interesting question…I have a friend who quit his job to “relax for a while” and then requested and accepted unemployment insurance. Would it be considered hypocritical if this same person asked the question, “Is the American Dream really dead? Must we continue on our quest to a welfare nation?”. Or is this just part of the pulling-up of one’s own bootstraps? (You really set me up for this one.)
Based on the large amount of data showing that its nearly impossible to live on minimum wage, I would tend to side with the first book. However, the american dream is not dead, its just much harder to achieve than it was 50 years ago. Watch Morgan Sperlock’s tv show (can’t remember the name) where he and his wife try to live for a month on minimum wage jobs, public transport, no medical ins, etc. Pretty brutal. For sure the single guy (Shepard) has a leg up since he’s not trying to feed a wife and family on min wage.