The American way. The Right way. THE ONLY WAY!

Maybe it's because SOME people who live in other countries make posts that presume to know what the hell they are talking about and go off criticizing our nation and our politics, ridiculing us along the way.

I will not respect anyone's opinion on the inner workings of our country who hasn't lived here and seen how it works first-hand. I don't tell the Canadians what's wrong with their government, I don't tell the Russians what's wrong with their government and I sure as hell don't want to hear it from a bunch of snide-remarking foreigners about our country.

You asked. I told you the truth.

Originally posted by Subjective Truth

Originally posted by Merriman Weir

Originally posted by Clark Savage Jr.
So we stick by 'our' way because we all know damned well that, believe it or not, our way is STILL worth preserving.

That's great and, for right or wrong, perhaps to be applauded. However, preserving the American Way and proclaiming the American Way to be the best way or the only way are very different things. I see a lot of the former, sorry.

Also, the idea that America is somehow special because it can dig deep and pull together when it needs to is pretty strange. That's not a particularly American trait and is something that can be seen the world over.

If you do not see what is special about America then words are not going to change your mind. But think about this who gives the most? And also who is the largest beacon of democracy?

About being the largest beacon of democracy?

Well, I took the time to google "Democracy Indexes" to see if I actually could find an answer to that question of yours.

O'boy! I was really surprised to see WHERE the US is listed on these indexes.

Here's a pdf from "The Economist's" Democracy Index 2006 & 2008 where the USA is listed as number 17 & 18 in the world.

www.economist.com...

The Economists 2008 Democracy Index


And here's "The Economists" Democracy Index 2008 from wiki - the USA is listed as number 18 in the world:

The Democracy Index is an index compiled by The Economist examining the state of democracy in 167 countries, attempting to quantify this with an Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy which focused on five general categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

According to Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index 2008 Sweden scored a total of 9.88 on a scale from zero to ten, which was the highest result, while North Korea scored the lowest with 0.86.

The countries are categorised into "Full Democracies", "Flawed Democracies", "Hybrid Regimes" (all considered democracies), and "Authoritarian Regimes" (considered dictatorial).

en.wikipedia.org...


And therefore according to the Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy:

Sweden is the largest beacon of democracy!

Those evil Socialist Viking Fascists & Social Democratic pieces of sh*#, eh!


The Human Development Index.

Here we find the US at place 13 in the world.

2009 Report


Quality of Life Index - USA place 13.

Quality of Life Index - 111 countries


Corruption Perceptions Index 2009 - USA place 19

www.transparency.org...


It was quite an interesting read from all these democracy indexes & lists.

[edit on 24-3-2010 by Chevalerous]

Originally posted by Misoir
reply to post by gaurdian2012

 

Well it may not be the countries government invading Canada; it will be the northerners running over the border to freedom! I want freedom but I am trapped on this side. Most of the people up in New England agree with me that Canada has more freedom, justice and equality than any state in the union. If we enter a civil war I am going to cross the border because it's better to live like an illegal alien in Canada than a legal citizen in a Tea Parties paradise.

[edit on 3/24/10 by Misoir]

plus you can find a tim horton's on almost any street corner! hehe. Like i've mentioned before, i've never met a canadian that doesnt feel free here. its not such a bad place to be, especially because i love canadian winters.

I hate it when people put the word Rights in quotation marks as if those rights were meaningless.

One thing that seperates, at least many of the American people, from the rest of the world is our hunger for true freedoms and our rights.

I do not accept the notion that rights are an illusion by government.


On the other points:

I'm sorry some of my fellow countrymen have been slinging mud in your direction. It is needless and many people fail to understand that what may work for America may not work for you, and therein lies the crux of your issue with American Exceptionalism.

I believe in American exceptionalism, but that's because I love this country so much, this does not mean I agree with everything our country does and it doesn't mean I have to like what my government does.

On that note, what may work for Canada and the EU doesn't necessarily apply to us. I find the argument that America is the only country without socialized medicine to be a misnomer. In my opinion this philosophy does not take into account how the US REALLY works, and it certainly isn't a cost control method-it is a price control method, which is why socialist medicine runs into shortages, and other issues so often.

I think the American Experiment proved that central economic planning doesn't work. The whole world is broke and it is broke be cause men of ill repute think they can control math and nature, which is why I believe in free market(true FM not this fascist soup we've got going on today)economics.



[edit on 24-3-2010 by projectvxn]

[edit on 24-3-2010 by projectvxn]

I read this thread with great interest; Interest enough to join and make comment, in fact.

I would consider myself educated and with common sense. I am a citizen of the United States (I have always found the label American interesting) of European and Aboriginal American origins. I work as a social worker. This give some background for my posts.

One of my research interests happens to be history and have been very fascinated by the discussion of founders and evolution of the "American culture".

I would note a couple of things that differentiate the US from other countries. This differences drive our sense of otherness in ways that are significant, in my opinion.

1. Our history is short. We are nationally adolescent compared to almost every other country. Approximately 230 years is relatively young compared to other countries, even Canada by the way. Our founding was a significant change of country.

2. Our founders were a diverse unruly lot, who disagreed on every point except one. This agreement point is the critical difference between us and other peoples. Our founders agreed to a man than governments of any kind is untrustworthy. Governments allow the worst (and sometimes, the best) characteristics of individuals to be expressed in the anonymous form of government edicts. Our government was originally established to allow the individual to see and participate in the governing process. By the way, this wasn't done to get things done, but to stop government entities from overreaching into the life, pocket and property of the individual citizen.

At the time, it was a primitive form of socialism called democracy. In their lives, the enemy was oligarchy. Bureaucracy and Governancey by an elite anonymous few. Our national constitution was written to reign in government not individuals.

As a result, the culture of America has been a paradox and confusing to many. Our government (oligarchy) determines what is best for everyone, including other countries, while being one of the first in line to provide support for friends and detractors in time of crisis.

I think that often the arrogance of "American" is often precipitated by what we think are the willingness of "others" to accept individual restrictions with our collective hypocrisy being obvious as we accept the same restrictions.

The discussions, disagreements and incivility of our process is often characterized by polarized discussions lead by professional politicians in order to sell their ideas or products rather than recognizing honest felt differences that might be closer in substance and compassion that we expect. (I had a friend tell me recently that coke would not sell as well without pepsi advertisements creating the polarized choice and vice versa)

Americans are a peculiar people ridden with doubts, uncertainties, fears and concerns who chafe at restrictions and insults. Kind of like adolescents when you think about it. Maybe the US will continue growing into an adult nation that is more acceptable to others.

But given this, the government we have that was intended to restrict government for the people's freedom was a different kind of government. I think the fear now is the fear of what an over reaching government could do if it was in the hands of unflinching ideologues with an agenda.

This was a long rambling piece and I apologize for its length. But this thread drew me into the discussion and I thank those who have added to it.

It's your coinage!

That's what ticks off Americans more than anything about Canada.

It's just a coin issue.

Overall, we like you guys, except in Florida. (Try Arizona please.) If you do come here, please, no French, and if you do insist on speaking French, please feel free to visit New Orleans.

Other than that, I think Canada is great.

Originally posted by Terapin
I still wana know about Canadian Bacon???

www.canadianbacon.com...

Its important that we as rational people remember that national pride should always take a back seat, when stacked up next to the pride that ought to come from being a member of the Human Race.
It is more important that I am a citizen of Earth, than the fact that I am a citizen of Britain. That is why I can call my government out when I feel that it is wrong, and avoid being painted as anything other than the patriot I am.
I love my country, but I do not love what it does. If everyone was more aware and accepting of the facts of what thier governments do, then more folks would probably take a similar position.
If there IS a single right way, an ONLY way, then it ought to be the way of brotherhood throughout the world. The motivations that drive you, drive others. Love, need, hunger, thirst,desire for companionship and freedom. Never let propegandists tell you different. The only thing that differs is the methodologies and cultural paths taken to aquire these things.
With that in mind, it is crucial that we , as aware and mindful persons, remember to respect other nations, religions,creeds, and political modes of thought as much as we respect our own. One need not agree with someone in order to respect them.
There is only one exception to this rule. Xenophobes, Nazis, supremacists of every stripe. They must never be given saftey, respect, or even human rights. They are a disease, and you might be suprised about how many there are.

At work this afternoon, something that popped into my mind that placed this thread - and its title - into context.

"The American Way". Everyone's heard the phrase, but it's strange that in 2010 you don't hear similar sentiments about or from other countries. Yes, you hear about how they do things in particular countries, but you don't hear of it in an international sense, or as an 'export' - unlike America.

To be honest, that kinds of sums it up for me.

[edit on 24-3-2010 by Merriman Weir]

Please do not think all in the USA are the same. I am born and raised here, and have seen many changes since my birth. Collectively, we are bankrupt both financially and morally; and I am working towards leaving this nation eventually, though it might take some years to position myself so it is possible. Quite frankly, I do not like the direction the country is taking, and have little reason to believe it will return to a republic -- if in fact it ever was that. Patriotism, capitalism, and democracy are tired concepts that are abused to benefit the few over the many. Conceptually, I suppose it could work; but all it takes is a handful of people to game the system and we end up where we are today. And, without true checks and balances to maintain a steady ship built on freedom, liberty, and justice for all; we will remain pawns. The difference from recent generations is that it is becoming more apparent with the true nature of our society, as we move to a dual class system of haves and have nots. I know which class is preferable, but it is a conflict of values to live that way when so many never have a real chance. I realize no system is perfect, that there will always be some that have it far better than others; and some that have it far worse. But life for everyone should be that the majority—nearly everyone—should be on the same page, able to live out their life with comfort and dignity, with the time to pursue the things that make them happy. It should not matter that people define that differently. As long as a person lives their life without directly harming another through nefarious action, or irresponsible action in some cases, then so be it. It should be up to the individual to decide what behaviors work for him, and which ones will destroy him. As part of this life, a highly functional people would agree on a minimal, healthy standard of living and provide that for everybody. Anything above that might be obtainable, and that would be okay. Some people are content just to smell the roses, while others need to own the roses—and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to acquire wealth. The real wealth in life comes from the things that money cannot buy, so the other is just gravy. There are many here that feel the same as I do, but apparently not enough to change the course we are on. The majority of news and issues that are forced down our throats are but misdirection, a false flag raised so society can rally around personal views that have no real basis or meaning in context of what really matters.

Live long, and prosper.

As an American, it seems to me that there is a substantial portion of this thread that fails to differentiate between the American people and the American government. If you're of the opinion that the American government is overbearing, arrogant and lacking the fundamental understanding that what works for us doesn't necessarily work for everyone else, join the club - we meet every Thursday and we've made t-shirts

As far as the American people, there are 300 million of us. Please don't try to pidgeonhole me in with someone who doesn't know that Germany isn't part of England (I'm not making that up, a co-worker actually asked me that once) or automatically feels entitled to cheeseburgers and the English language when leaving our borders.

There are some people in this country who are blindly patriotic and averse to anything but what they consider the "American" way. That being said, here's a microcosm of what I'd like to think of as the silent majority...

I live in the South (insert other region of the U.S. here). I don't own a gun, but I know how to use one and believe strongly that the 2nd Amendment entitles us to own such responsibly. I despise Republicans and Democrats equally, and feel that neither is leading this country in the direction it needs to go. I know how to speak bits and pieces of three different languages, to the point where I'm not sure if it would be more offensive to ask a foreigner to speak English or to butcher their own language trying to "blend" in. Despite its shortcomings I believe in my country's ability to do good, and feel that a reckoning is coming where the peoples' tolerance for the government's meddling in our lives will come to a head. I believe in a strong national defense, but also believe that most foreign military bases should be closed and all of our troops in the ME should come home. I understand that a lot of derision for America comes from the fact that we're the big kid on the block so it's unavoidable, but also that every administration for the last 20+ years has done their best to expedite this thinking. I have no problem with the way anyone else lives their lives, be they Canadian, European, Gay, Straight or addicted to World Of Warcraft, and expect the same in return. I feel that our government needs to pull it's head out of its arse and realize that it needs to clean up its own backyard before it goes knocking on our neighbors door. I hate American Idol. I hate Survivor. I hate McDonalds. I believe if you can't find Europe on a map you shouldn't breed. I like to fish.

Sorry for the rambling, but there it is. That is me, and that is pretty much everyone else I know... with the exception of fishing. It's an acquired taste. Anyway, no arrogance, no nationalistic snobbery. I realize that some Americans do come off as such, and for them I would apologize.

Overall I would say that IMO, the American way is exactly that... the AMERICAN way. Not the Canadian, not the French nor even the Indonesian way. A lot of people in this country understand this, some do not.

Anyhoo, my two cents.


[edit on 24-3-2010 by Legion2112]

reply to post by intrepid



An important thread intrepid. S&F. …too important for me to ignore when what I really want is to be finishing up my video!!! Bad on you.

…Off the top of my head, not thought through, unedited:

FYI - I'm American by right of birth; Canadian by right of birth abroad. I grew up on the Canada-US border - we called it the "line" and pretty much ignored it. Lots of people had relatives on both sides of the line, and many "commuted" across the line to work. Most everyone I grew up with also has dual citizenship. I've travelled a lot in the US and Canada - lived and worked in a huge variety of different places. Before Homeland Security and Northcom started running the show, that is. I saw the writing on the wall on 9/11, and left Santa Fe that November. Since then I've been living in Canada.

I think both countries are flippin amazing - and some of my best friends are Canadian. The others are American.

I've been an ATS member since 2004(!) - my main thesis is that trade law and "security" issues were/are being used to establish and entrench corporate government - and that the strategy is designed to work in a national / global feedback loop towards a global NWO Corporatocracy. FYI - it's pretty much a done deal now. Most everyone was looking the other way - distracted, polarized, wasting their time on name-calling and character assassination.

Over the years, I have been bashed, harassed and trolled by a few FMSEs and mods as well as members for speaking out about US politics - who stated and stipulated that I had no right to comment because I "wasn't an American." My thesis was routinely dismissed and misrepresented as "Bush-bashing." …I've seen threads and podcasts I worked on for weeks disappear, presumably because certain well-placed individuals went too far in their attacks.

I do NOT see such harassment as evidence of patriotism - bullies work in packs, and do not have the strength of character OR intellect to stand alone. I know this.

In general, I choose to see bullying pack behavior on ATS as evidence of health problems, not character flaws. Although I do recognize that ad hominem attacks are also a great cover for ignorance - and ignorance is subject to manipulation by those using mob-rule to intimidate, coerce, oppress and silence other members. In my opinion, the same people who used to promote such values, tactics and behavior are still here - except they probably use the chat room now instead of the Boards.

Okay.

Just needed to get that off my chest. If anyone thinks I went too far, please u2u me and I'll seriously consider a quick edit.

asmall89

Right now it's Socialism vs Capitalism

No. It's Democracy vs Corporatism.

For everyone, every nation. Lose the name-calling ad hominem attack tactics. It distracts from the real issues, and this is way too important.

endisnighe

We pay over 30% of our country's income in Military spending. We pay for more military than the entire world. We are the police of the world. We are the despots of the world.

We also send money to over 150 countries of the world. We also send food to all kinds of countries of the world.

We also by ourselves, give more CHARITY to the world THAN ALL OTHER countries combined!

The US Corporatocracy chooses to funnel most of your tax dollars into the military-industrial complex via payments to international mega-corporations. You. apparently, support that priority. Not everyone does.

…Despots is a good word. FYI - America is not policing the world...

Americans' tax dollars are funding Corporate Colonial Expansion for international mega-corporations, AKA American "democracy." But no matter what you call it, or the MSM calls it, or any President calls it, it's still Corporate Colonial Expansion designed to establish the NWO as a global Corporatocracy.

RE: Money, food and charity Aid.

It all comes with trade-offs - meaning national recipients have to agree to terms allowing Corporate Colonial Expansion.

Also, as lowlife187 said, two words: TAX HEAVEN.

Worse, American-based corporations dump old stock, bad food and dangerous goods into developing nations, and are paid retail for said supplies with your tax dollars.

Also see:

Retrovertigo
The US gives 0.18% of GNI to the rest of the world every year, which is near the bottom of the list...Granted many other countries give the same or even less...

However, to say "America gives the most to the rest of the world" is pure garbage

jam321

I defend our way
I brag about our way
I love the American way

Newsflash: There is NO "American way." …Step outside your comfort zone - travel out-of-state - work somewhere else. You will learn that America is chock-full of sub-cultures, and secondary, tertiary and quaternary societies composed of radically different people with radically different ideas.

I personally believe in the original idea of America, in the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence.

But I CHALLENGE YOU to prove that: a) even 80% of the US population even knows what these documents say, and b) even 50% of the US population even understands that they are separate, distinct and different documents.

hawkiye

Freedom from oppression and the ability of the individual to live his or her life a free man or women without government intervention as long as he or she is not oppressing anyone is the right way and the only way!

I take it you support the new Corporatocracy and Corporate Feudalism, and are happy with corporate intervention, as long as it's not government doing the intervening. …Or not?

Subjective Truth
why are we taking aim at Canada? Because you have fallen on your knees in front of the progressive agenda and we are not ready to live on our knees like you guys and gals up to the north yet.

……..The progressives are taking freedoms left and right and the people cheers just like they did for Hitler in the 1930s in Germany.

Please, educate yourself. …For one thing, you will learn that there are numerous significant parallels between the Hitler and Bush regimes - far more than any Nazi-Canada comparison might reveal.

…I'll give you monarchy-colonial though, if you take the time to get there.

Subjective Truth
...

Originally posted by hhcore
We don't have free speech? hmpf. learn sumtin' new everyday.

If you live in Canada you are right you don't. It is up to TPTB judgement and you could fall on the wrong side by the way the wind blows . This is not free speech.

I agree. But I also support anti-hate laws. Go figure.

Merriman Weir
Speaking as someone who is British, I'm not really familiar with this view at all. …I honestly think that a lot of the "British" attitude towards Americans is more a case of 'who the # do you think you are?' as in 'who do you think you are to think you're better than us?' rather than us thinking we're actually better than you. There's a big important difference there. It's the difference between Americans going on and on about being #1 and non-Americans saying 'no you're not' and being critical of Americans but still not saying 'no, my country is #1!' Honestly, I never hear any significant amount of people from any other country other than America speak the way they do.

Thoughtful people don't speak that way. Only bullies into mob rule, intimidation, coercion and manipulation fall back on ad hominem attacks - and ad hominem praise/defense.


Worth repeating, although I forgot to file the poster's name. Sorry. ….

"...the well being of the poor and retched is a duty charged to private, public and charitable means and funds, for the health of the retch is the health of a nation."

Ben Franklin Penn Gazette - 1743, page 43
See: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise : A Variety of Enduring Selections from the Press of Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790

YouSir
Complaining about "those arrogant Americans", is an act of arrogance. What you have stated in your piece is that because we don't see the world through "your" lense, then it makes us arrogant and ignorant. I'm sorry if I can't quite see the nirvana in your culture or in that of Europe or Australia.

Please, get real.

Intrepid is addressing the current rise of ad hominem attacks and loss of courtesy on the Boards - specifically such attacks on different nations and nationalities.

truthquest
Its great that you guys have evolved into something approaching a feudal system where each country is like a farm harvesting taxes for the master, who in turn treats his slaves really well and gives you equally sized plots of land in many cases and gives you socialist education ("dumbs you down" with "socialist obedience training") in school.

Some of us are fighting against corporate feudalism and global corporatocracy.

You should check out the World Trade Organization and TRIPS terms if you really want to know about the relevant laws that govern you and your life.

truthquest
But for those of us who would rather die than live as slaves,

The implication is that you will die when you wake up.

Please - don't. That's when you can start making really valuable contributions.





[edit on 24-3-2010 by soficrow]

This guy says that the healthcare bill was nothing more than a way for the Federal Reserve to collateralize a “revenue anticipation bond” so they can continue their hypothecation operation. I guess it’s more of the same scam that’s been going on with derivatives. He says that the social security funds they’ve been stealing was running out so the healthcare monies they will be receiving will keep them going. Great huh?

www.worldreports.org...

reply to post by soficrow


Despotism is exactly what I addressed in my comment. I do not know how you got anything else from it than what I had written. Maybe you should read it again.

Our government could run without ONE DIME from it's citizens. The Taxation System created to steal from us by devaluing the currency, by the Federal Reserve and the IRS collection of moneys for the SOLE PURPOSE of keeping the common man in his place is the WHOLE PROBLEM in this country.

Please show me where I ever espoused corporatism in my comment. For your info, I read the CAFR's and SUPPOSEDLY, money is taken out of the general fund, so SOMEONE is getting money.

I teach a class on social welfare policy, directly relating to child welfare. The students are professional child welfare workers working on a masters level degree. Yet they feel under-appreciated and powerless in the jobs to affect policy. One of the struggles I have though, is teaching them to look at both sides of an issue rather than choosing a person who represents an administration and placing the dislike of their administration on the one.

reply to post by gaurdian2012


Just one thing. Not ALL Americans are arrogant, self centered, egotistical, jerks. The only problem is that the only Americans we, and the rest of the world hear from, are these people.

It's just like saying, "All Canadians live in igloos." or, "They they live in perpetual winter." Because we don't (Unless you count the high points in the Northwest Territories).

Originally posted by endisnighe
reply to post by soficrow

 

...SUPPOSEDLY, money is taken out of the general fund, so SOMEONE is getting money.

Yup.

Wonder who?

...My research says the bulk of the nation's wealth is funnelled into chosen corporations for services and supplies - mostly the military-industrial complex. Meaning the taxation system was designed to support the elite, and so-called "American democracy" has evolved to become a corporatocracy - thus replacing "monarchy" as the chosen form of government.

...As I said earlier, I love the original idea of the USA. But to coin a phrase, "It ain't what it useta be."

FYI - It wasn't welfare programs OR a watered down healthcare plan that brought us to this pass.

Also FYI - The thing keeping us trapped is the fact that we buy into the manipulations and waste our time going at each others throats - instead of identifying the REAL problem. And dealing with it.

OK, I'm not an American, or even English for that matter. However, I find these threads highly intersting. It is, after all, a nice change from all the 'anti-obamacare' threads. Furthermore, I never really understood why the new healthcare system is that bad. I know a lot of Americans are uninsured, so why not fix something that fundamental? Before you reply to this post, I have to admit that I don't really investigated this issue very deeply. I expect to do that within the coming hour as the newspaper has a nice article about this whole thing
The fact remains, in Holland, the culture is very different, and things like health care, gay rights and ofcourse abortion are regulated very differently. Needless to say, this is a major factor constituting my lack of understanding the majority of the reactions at ATS. Oh, and I suddenly remember that I'm also subscribed to various Dutch boards, where it seems that the vast majority of the people there feel much more positive about the new health care system, and Obama in general.

Sorry for the bit incoherent post...

[edit on 24-3-2010 by -Thom-]

reply to post by intrepid


You will have to forgive many of us in this country intrepid. I believe what you are seeing is frustration that is boiling over. Many are seeing their way of life being drained away a little at a time, and they feel like they have no way of stopping it, and in return, they lash out at anything, and anyone who gets in their line of fire. Their only humans with flaws, just like everyone else.

When i first read your topic, it brought something to mind that I happened to see a few years back. And this story is about basic instincts that all living creatures have.

I was over to a friends house enjoying a back yard BBQ, and there was around a dozen of us there. My friends has a german shepard dog that is a friend to everyone. This dog is so friendly, and well trained, she is allowed to be around everyone even when eating, she never bothers anyone. Well, their was a young child playing rough with her in the yard, and it so happened the dog did not do something the child asked her to do. Well, the child grabbed a four foot wooden pole and started beating the dog acrossed the head and had her backed into a corner. Needless to say, we all ran over to see what was going on and the dog had it`s teeth showing and would have bitten the child hadn`t my friend grabbed her coller. As he reached for her coller, she turned her head around and bit him. She had never ever displayed this trait before, and had never shown it from that time on.

Well, I look at this government as being the same as that child, and the dog, well, you know where this is going. The point is, we all have that instinct within us, and like the dog, we do not mean to hurt anyone, most of us feel like we are being backed into a corner and we lash out at everything.

I can`t speak for everyone from this country, but as with every country in this world, we have our share of pinheads.





[edit on 24-3-2010 by FiatLux]

Originally posted by soficrow
Meaning the taxation system was designed to support the elite, and so-called "American democracy" has evolved to become a corporatocracy - thus replacing "monarchy" as the chosen form of government.

I've said similar in the past. It's also been the source of much of my mirth amid anti-British rants about 'kicking King George out' and how the British are all meant to be under the thrall of Queen Elizabeth. It's also been a source of confusion when ever I hear how the American Dream allows anyone to rise to the very top, unencumbered by the class system of, say, England. It seems to me that American's own 'class system' is as rigid, if not more so, than a lot of places.