"But the reality of mobility in America is more complicated than the myth. As the gap between rich and poor has widened since 1970, the odds that a child born in poverty will climb to wealth -- or a rich child will fall into the middle class -- remain stuck. Despite the spread of affirmative action, the expansion of community colleges and the other social change designed to give people of all classes a shot at success, Americans are no more or less likely to rise above, or fall below, their parents' economic class than they were 35 years ago."

Friday, May 13, 2005, By David Wessel, The Wall Street Journal
Read it at LostRepublic

Somebody should let the world know this more clearly. The fantasy of what US is and what life there can do is quite grand. It doesn't just give thrust to the flow of immigrants who land up in US. It also guides the national policies and national aspirations of so many countries. It makes America seem like an example to follow and replicate.

The international funding agencies, and financial institutions enforce conditions, adherence to which literally Americanizes the situation. Is the game about - "moulding a world into a similar mistake so that there is no resistance left?"