Originally Posted by Robbie

Upward mobility isn't dead.

I do believe the local, state, and federal govt. are not helping the situation with some of the repressive laws they pass here and there.

But yes, you can still work you way up from the bottom to the top.

Problem for 99.9% of people is...it takes an EXCEPTIONAL person to do so. And always has.
Most folks who start at the bottom are raised in an environment of govt. assistance. They see their parents and relatives and community receiving money, food stamps, housing assistance, etc. from the govt. from the time they are kids.

That makes a big impression on you. When you are a kid, your parents are your hero. And it becomes ingrained in them as kids.

It's a big conundrum, because these families actually do need that assistance. But at the same time it perpetuates it onto the next generation.

But there was never a huge percentage of people in history that moved from the bottom to the top.

As I said, it has always taken an exceptional person with ambition, drive, intelligence and the willingness to do whatever it takes to get to the top.
Those kind of people do still exist. And they are the ones who shun the govt. "assistance" when they become adults and see the bigger picture.

Those kind of people have no desire to live in a prison of their own creation and have the desire to become something in life. You can't do that when you are dependent on govt. assistance.

That's why it's so hard to break out.

But just like I did when I toured in bands...some people WANT something so bad that they will live in a tiny place and eat bologna sandwiches and sacrifice to move up.

They want it.