I Have…Had a Dream Too…But You Destroyed it!

Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream for the people, that everyone would be equal in the eyes of the Most High! The day that he dreamed about came true this past Presidential cycle. However, it remains to be seen if this is a true Dr. King dream or; a nightmare in the making! I am referencing the new president Barack Obama with this thought. What he will do for or against the American dream is yet to be determined. We all want the best for our country and the good citizens therein, don’t we? The American dream contains success for diligent people willing to work hard for it but, is this dream realistic today? Can we work hard and have our own home, our own car? What about a retirement account free from scams, banking vandalism, and covert schemes? Can I retire and be free from debt because everything is paid for? Or; is this no longer possible? Have the dreams that one holds for their life and family now become unobtainable? Have they destroyed our dreams because of their (some people’s) avarice and insatiable desire for amassing great wealth at other people’s expense?

Today the housing has been inflated beyond true value wherein no average person can conceivably afford one. The automobile market is about the same…who can afford an automobile at current prices. And, after a brief period the vehicle is no longer worth its initial value or asking price. Everything goes up in price, but not wages. Workers are either making too much say some or very little say most. Minimum wages are not capable of sustaining a household of two adults and two children. And any dream (s) that the minimum wage earner might have is impossible to achieve. Why is there such disparity and class division/distinction in America? It there a glass ceiling that cannot be penetrated by the hard working masses of America? Is there a restricted level that someone cannot arise above? Today I believe there is a stopping point for most sans any extended education such as a college degree, or; personal access to inordinate amounts of wealth.

What could be the long term solution for this discrimination against the working class people? Could the housing market create affordable homes? Could the car manufacturers build good yet inexpensive cars? Could the minimum wage be raised to the actual living standard that balances between accounts receivable (wages) and accounts payable/expendable (debts)? Yes, all of this is possible if the quasi establishment wants it to be so! I am not saying that Americans should be forced into shacks and the people’s car as per Germany during the WW2 era. How much of a house does the standard American family actually need? It appears that a four bedroom two bath home would be sufficient for most families in America today. Gone for the most part (sans illegal immigrants) are large families.

The average home size is another factor to consider. From 900-1200(60’s-80’s) square feet to over 2400 square feet today, the home size has accelerated in size. If the average family is 4 or even 5 per household, how much room does one family actually need? If you have ever spent any time in a third-world country you would simply be amazed at how little space in land and housing is available to them. The houses are small 3-4 rooms and the land is big enough to plant a small garden with some chickens-perhaps! So let’s look at necessity pricewise and repayment possibilities on a home loan. The median price of homes in December 2008 was around $242,000.00. So, loosely calculated the monthly mortgage payment could/would be around $1,800.00 all things included such as taxes, insurance etc. Now let’s extend that times 12 months, and this equals $21,000.00. Using mid-2009 minimum wage projections of $7.25 with some (a few) states having a slightly higher rate from $8.00 to $8.55 per hour rate, we arrive at approx. $15,060.00 based on 40 hours per week labor, and $18,850.00 at 50 hours per week. Now let’s factor in wages versus expenses, starting with mortgage payments.

At $1,800.00 (approx.) times 12 months for yearly house payment demand, the total comes to $21,000.00. We can end it right there, for to proceed any further is an exercise in futility. Wages based on 50 hours per week time 52 weeks equals $18,850.00 and house mortgage payments for one year are $21,000.00 leaving the average wage earner MINUS -$2,150.00. Now this figure does not include anything else and it is based on the average home value and the minimum wage today in America. Now do you see what I am saying that the American dream realistically is no longer attainable? The average or median wage as of August 2008 was $50,233.00. Now we can take this figure and factor in car payments (usually times two per household) mortgage payment, utilities, food, transportation costs and several day to day necessary living expenses and still see a problem. More on this later…Can we still achieve the American dream or has that dream become shattered/destroyed by the avariciousness of several unscrupulous companies and the owners thereof..?