Dreaming a Lie

I've often heard Madeleine Albright brought up as an shining example of the American Dream fulfilled. The daughter of Czech immigrant parents that fled Europe to escape the Nazis, I've always counted it as a rare story that keeps the illusion of American social mobility alive. A Google search for "Madeleine Albright" "American Dream" will turn up plenty of heartwarming takes on the tale.

Crock of shit. If you read the Wikipedia article I linked above, you'll see that one of those "immigrant parents" were Josef Korbel, a Czech ambassador and presidential advisor, as well as future Professor and academic parent to Condoleezza Rice. Immigration? More like arranged political asylum. Humble beginnings my ass.

Yet this is the kind of tale that keeps working class Americans voting Republican and buying into tax cuts for the rich, because, hey, one day they might themselves be those millionaires, and if you were in that position, would you want the government taking your hard earned money?

American Dream. As usual, I don't know if I should laugh or cry.