The American Dream: Dead Alive Or On Hold? By Brandon King

In Karen Olsson’s investigative journalism piece against Wal-Mart, titled “Up Against Wal-Mart”, she describes a utopian styled business that appears to exploit workers for nominal profits. Unlike fiction, the business practices of Wal-Mart that were put in the limelight by Olsson position the United States to adapt a new employment structure in chain businesses, for the worse. In "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?" by Brandon King, it is clear throughout the article that King’s aspirations for the American future is dependent on "the potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future" (611). With employers like Wal-Mart exploiting workers as Olsson describes, King’s aspirations quickly fizzle away. After reading both articles, readers may find that both describe a world that doesn’t promote an honest living, a world where it is difficult to financially succeed, and a world where incentives for hard working employees are few and far between.
King first explores the idea of “an honest way of life” as his new definition of the American Dream. After reviewing the original definition of the American Dream in 1931, King decided that an updated, …show more content…
“The Great Recession didn’t kill the American Dream. But the promise of a good life in exchange for hard, honest work has been bruised and frayed for millions of middle class Americans” (King 615). The Great Recession, a key moment in the momentary collapse of the American dream, was a cause for incredible financial struggle for individuals, couples, families and anyone in all walks of life. Although it was a tough period of time in the late 2000s, King said in one of his closing paragraphs, “Even since the height of the Great Recession, however, we have adapted the values contained within the American Dream to meet new challenges”