Is it actually possible for every and any American to be successful if they just try hard enough?

Question

I keep hearing on this forum so many people accusing the poor and struggling even those who DO work of just not trying hard enough?

Isn't that just empty propaganda of the fortunate who didn't really have to overcome many of the trials of life that some endure?

Besides doesn't everyone have a different 'gauge' of success and having a life of value?

Answer 1

You are right in that success is different for everyone. For example; someone who has a good marriage & a happy family can be considered a success although poor in finances. While the rich, divorced couple with the drug-addicted son & the prostitute daughter, not so much.

Answer 2

There are opportunities for almost everyone. It just means that they have to look for them and take advantage of them. Many do not take the chances or refuse to make changes that some opportunities demand and so they miss out. This doesn't mean they can't try again.

I know of several people who are not well educated (no high school diploma) who are making over $60,000 a year as they took a chance and made the move to get a better job and have a better life. Some of them now have investments and have a house and are building their retirement funds.

Yes success is measured by different values. One person says their successful as they own a business and a Cadillac. Another is successful as he had a job all his life, provided a house for his family, raised his kids right, still married to the same woman right into retirement.

But many only look to where they are and do not make a real effort to advance themselves (society owes them syndrome), and blame others for their failings. Sorry but that's just crap. I'm not saying that there are not challenges and people who put down others and won't help, but there is so much info out there and so many jobs that it just takes a real effort to plan and then go after the dream. It usually is not on a silver platted outside your front door.

Mine wasn't, but now I'm over paid and under worked! I sleep for two hours at work almost every day and I make a reasonable income. (not unionized either)

Answer 3

I think that it is possible for anyone to achieve success in this country. I didn't say it was likely, but it is possible.
We see it all the time, in the immigrants who come to this country. The Vietnamese, who have made an industry of doing nails, the Greeks who have pretty much taken over the restaurant business in this country, and the Filipino's who are very heavily represented in nursing all over the country. Sometimes it requires doing a job we don't like, sometimes it requires us to work longer hours than other people.
I have tried to teach my children the "immigrant mentality", by that I mean, that you cannot have everything you want, you have to save your money, and invest it wisely, and you have to work, sometimes at the most awful jobs imaginable.
The key to success is to do what no one else wants to do. If you are willing to do that and do it well, you will succeed.

Answer 4

I had plenty of things going against me. I was not fortunate at all. Didn't have anything to work with other than my hands my back and good common sense.
I will accept that there are many who don't even have that and through no fault of their own.
I used what I had and busted my butt to reach what little potential I had. I don't expect to get the rewards of someone else's potential, only my own.
I am also willing to help those who are devoid of potential.

What I object to is people being given money in such a way that it traps them in their predicament.
For instance if a part time working single mom were to get a full time job to earn more, it means that she will lose her SCHIP bene's and she does now have the cost of going to work to contend with eg: clothing, transportation, eating lunch out and now paying taxes where she wasn't before. Her net now is less than what she was collecting before. There is no incentive to do it except pride and that might put her children at risk. The government has put her in an untenable position. She's trapped.

"The greatest sin is a potential not realized"

Cabeesh?

Answer 5

No. It's not possible for everyone to be successful. It's a sad fact. Think of it this way; Our society would crumble if they did. There will always be a need for dishwashers, for busboys, vegetable pickers, garbage men, etc... There are vital jobs that need to be filled that don't make enough money to survive on.

Socialism is the only responsible way to compensate those who do the jobs that the upper crust would never do.

Answer 6

I had this conversation with an older (79) friend of mine the other day. She said her and her husband barely got by even though they worked hard. A couple things came out and she had to agree. First, THEY CHOSE to be dairy farmers knowing it wasnt the way to millions. Second, they put FOUR kids through college on their dime and had enough to live. Third, they own a camp on the local lake. Fourth, they have had brand new vehicles for as long as I can remember. Fifth, they have owned their home outright for twenty years now.
She admitted that if she had been willing to make the sacrifice at her government job, she could have rose above the clerk level but she only wanted extra spending money not more responsibility.
Anyone who is willing to SACRIFICE, work hard and chooses to work in high need or high return careers will become wildly successful. I could be much wealthier than I am if I was willing to stay in business management but I CHOSE to leave that financially rewarding field to become a teacher- a job that makes me happier and allows me a lot more time to be with my son. We all make these choices and have no one to blame for them. Some make the decision to turn to drinking and drugs or criminal activities. Some choose to hang out with those who will hold us back rather than challenge themselve to be BETTER.
IT IS OUR FAULT_ NO ONE ELSES.

Answer 7

When I think of success I think of a person being able to work enough to raise a family in reasonable comfort. Anything beyond that is luxury. So yes hard work will make that possible. You may not be able to buy every toy on the shelf but you will put food on the table and cloths on your kids backs.
The world doesn't owe you a living. Even if it did it would be a life time job to collect.

Answer 8

Maybe not "every" American, but certainly 99%+ of Americans can be successful if they work hard enough.

Just drop by some donut shop or restaurant where a retarded person is working behind the counter, then later drive through downtown and look at all the self-pitying homeless men who are not retarded.

If a retarded person can make it in society, then certainly most people have a shot at success or at least subsistence at some level.

And if you need a further example, just imagine the original colonists in America, arriving as outcasts from England and encountering zero infrastructure in the New World.

"Work doesn't demean men, men demean work." -- Ulysses S. Grant

Answer 9

Everyone can be successful if they try and work hard enough at it. Of course people have to have a realistic approach to it. Some one that has a horrible singing voice and sees success as being a rich singer, obviously isn't going to reach that success. First they have to define success. Success may to get a good paying job and being able to afford a car and house payment. That's a reachable goal for anyone. Too many people just decide to stay at dead end jobs that pay next to nothing. People get complacent and fear change, for fear of failure. There are many reasons why people choose not to advance themselves.

Everyone has the opportunity to go to some type of higher education. Whether that be a university or a technical college. Even inmates of a prison can take higher education courses. If they can do it, ANYONE can.

EDIT: Also, what our politicians consider poor in this country, would be considered wealthy in another. A very small percentage of our poor population, actually live in true poverty (no running water, no sanitation, no heat or electricity).

Answer 10

Of course it possible. All you have to do is look at the immigrants in the past that made something of themself istead of coming here to live off other people's generosity.
There are many examples today of people who have overcome the trials of life and made something of themself.
Using the excuse that the fortunate are holding them down is a lame exuse but one the government often relies upon.
And in my point of view rich/poor has nothing to do with being successful in life. I guess it's according to one's priorities.
I live comfortable but I'm richer than most.