Where is this “American Dream” that we’re all supposed to be working towards? I was commenting to a coworker this morning that it doesn’t make sense that most of the working class have to work 5 days in a week to enjoy 2 days off. How does this make sense? This seems like an outdated tradition, at best.I have heard that a few cities across the country have started trying the 4-day work week, with a 3-day weekend. Thus far, I have yet to hear any negative backlash come from it. I know changing this nonsensical work week tradition is near impossible in this state, since it’s too God damn selfish and broke to consider alternatives to stereotypical business practices. Just the thought of this proposal probably would have the state shaking in a seizure-like manner.
The way my “American Dream” is forming now, my last 401K statement basically told me that if I continue to work for the next 40 years (with my current investments & profit-sharing contributions from the company), I will get to retire with LESS money per week than what I’m currently making…I’m talking a couple hundred dollars less per week. Granted, I’m not taking into consideration salary increases over time, but why bother when inflation will take care of that for me.
What incentive (other than survival) do I have to continue working towards my retirement age? I don’t exactly have a promising end goal to look at down the road in my senior years. Also, aren’t we supposed to live “in the now” since tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to us? Two free days per week doesn’t feel like much of an opportunity to live, NOW. What it comes down to is I get to work 5 days per week to enjoy 2 days off (likely) for the rest of my working life, for at least another 40 years, at which time I will get to enjoy less income per week than what I was making 40 years prior. Wow, if this is the “American Dream”, then what the hell is our “American Nightmare”?
