The American dream

http://www.faireconomy.org/press_room/1997/born_on_third_base_sources_of_wealth_of_1997_forbes_400

The Horiatio Alger Myth, the american dream, is said to be dead on this site. It states "Only three out of ten on the Forbes list can be regarded as self-starters whose parents did not have great wealth or own a business with more than a few employees." Surely however this is in fact a support to the myth.

3 out of 10 of the forbes 400 have made the wealth by themselves without inheriting wealth. This is around 133 people who have not inherited their wealth. This Proves that you can, in America, make your wealth out of nothing. In America there is a lot more opportunity for people, the education system may be backward compared to the rest of the developed world, but Universities are not state funded, thus cost students more, and thus are superior to the majority of European Universities. In Europe, the education system is much more demanding, meaning those who do not have self discipline tend to struggle. The mentality in America is different too, in europe many familys in the lower classes have failed to drive their kids towards change, and tend to blame the government or authorities or others for any failings... In America it is down to you the mentality is that if you fail it is your fault, if you succeed you are somehow a better person. For these reason the Horatio Alger Myth still exists, In America it is much more what you know than who you know...