Anyone who thinks that the "American Dream" (for whatever the **** that even means) is "if you work hard you'll be rich" is a ****ing idiot who doesn't understand economics AT ALL.
Working "hard" (there's a specific and quantifiable term if I've ever seen one!) is irrelevant, and I can't imagine that Americans historically believed that would be enough for wealth. That's an effort-based measurement. It's the equivalent of a participation trophy. How hard you work doesn't matter, what matters is how much benefit you can provide to your fellow man. THAT is what determines your salary in a free market.
No wonder the lazy and incompetent are so drawn to socialism. It's the only way they can get their participation trophy.
If more people understood that, things would be so much better. But I hope you realize it doesn't really square with your following statement about helping people who admit things were their own fault and not the product of circumstance. That's more in line with the hard work -> wealth line of thinking.
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Congratulations to SuperNiceDog, Guru Winner, who was smart enough to pick
your 7 time champion, Link.