Yes, I knew we would agree on that everyone is rightfully interested in the US economy because it will eventually going to affect everyone's situation everywhere in the world. But then, my point is that isn't it a sign that this system in toto is in better shape than many if not all other systems across the world?
Regrding the hardship of living in NYC, you are right. But not everyone has to have a white collar job or a PhD and live in urban areas. People can live in a farm in Texas or Cali, pick tomatoes, and support a family if they work hard. Millions of illegal immigrants are doing this while also fighting discrimination. Uneducated folks can work in the coal mines and easily make 6 digits. People who can stay away from drugs and are willing to work can drive a UPS truck and be in better financial shape than a lot of college educated ones. The examples are countless. Now if one likes to live in a metro, have access to cocaine and slim girls, and live like what they portray in soap operas, then the options are not as widely available.
Regrding the hardship of living in NYC, you are right. But not everyone has to have a white collar job or a PhD and live in urban areas. People can live in a farm in Texas or Cali, pick tomatoes, and support a family if they work hard. Millions of illegal immigrants are doing this while also fighting discrimination. Uneducated folks can work in the coal mines and easily make 6 digits. People who can stay away from drugs and are willing to work can drive a UPS truck and be in better financial shape than a lot of college educated ones. The examples are countless. Now if one likes to live in a metro, have access to cocaine and slim girls, and live like what they portray in soap operas, then the options are not as widely available.
The reason why I brought up the NYC example was because I was indirectly pointing to the condition of many African American and Hispanic communities in the US. As Mahdi said, it's extremely segregated and it's extremely difficult in many places to break out if you wanted to. Saying, and many do, that these African american kids who are born to crack addict or piss poor parents aren't advancing because they're lazy or because they don't have the values is extremely unfair.