SCRATCH BEGINNINGS , Yes You can still make it in America

[BFJ628]

John Stossel is one of the very few in the media who has the guts to bring real news to people, clear up misconceptions, educate, and empower. He's one of the few I would ever watch. The rest of my day is spent making money and living my life on my own terms.

[BFJ628]

What you have to realize is the media is a for-profit business. They are selling a product ... fear. They hope you stick around long enough to watch the commercials b/c that's how they get paid, so they give it to you in bits-and-pieces. Good news doesn't sell, bad news does. If they are kind they will close with a warm-hearted story about "generosity" or "neighbors helping neighbors." It's no accident you feel like crap after watching the news. Never forget that. Just change the channel.

[Visfen]

Wtf, a motel is not a rich person option? What a spoiled brat.

[DivinelyMochaDipped]

white

male

no dependents

college educated

from a 2 parent middle class family

a safety net (had this boy failed, he always had the option of running back to mommy)

no mental illness

That background puts you in a position that is foreign to poor people. Just because u ACT like you don't have an education does NOT mean u lost all things taught to u during ur education. this kid didn't prove anything. except his arrogance. he does NOT know wtf people in those predicaments go through.

[hellofaname]

if only these OWS idiots ever heard of this book, let alone read it.

[cribnl]

We watched this video in my microeconomics class at my high school. And It encouraged me to buy his book. It's seriously a crazy story, and he totally just owns that Barbara chick.

[GloriaD5767]

@Spanky989 Okay, if you have to do what you can to survive, then anything goes. Crime, honest work, whatever. At this point in time, that's what it will boil down to. And our ancestors never had to deal with age discrimination, and all the crap corporate America has dreamed up to force people out. I work three jobs. I do it just so I can have a little money to save. Some people are workaholics; I call them crazy. There's more to life than working three jobs. Just ask a CEO. (They just have ONE.)

[GloriaD5767]

@Spanky989 And really, your dad's "poor health" is probably about average, in terms of American workers. Trust me, I knew someone who was in REALLY poor health, and died a month ago at the age of 43. There is "poor health" and POOR HEALTH. Your dad having diabetes and surviving a stroke is about par for the course for someone his age.

[GloriaD5767]

@Spanky989 Okay, so not EVERY 62 year old lady would be able to move entire rolls of carpeting herself. Did this lady walk in at age 60 and said, "give me a job moving carpet?" Or did she hire in at say, age 40 and was still working there at 62. Point being, a 25 year old white man has a better chance of getting a job than someone in his 60s. Some places won't hire older workers because of insurance rates. Talk to some people trying to get work and maybe your eyes might be opened a bit.

[GloriaD5767]

@Spanky989 Yeah, good for him. But I really don't want to be a 71 year old diabetic, who has a stroke and is still working, although I'll probably be working, because there won't be any social security. I'd like to see what an average baby born today will be like in 71 years. Your dad's "good old days" don't exist anymore. And as for smoking 50 years, well, I guess he grew up in the "smoking is healthy" for you days, so whatever. Hope he doesn't get cancer.

[GloriaD5767]

Yeah, try being a young white guy who graduates from a fancy college, and you'll see how "hard" he has it. He obviously has advantages (youth, health, strength, a good education and confidence) that a lot of people DON'T have. I mean, he worked for a moving company. How many 60 year old women do you see moving furniture? Point is, he could give up slumming if he wanted/needed to, and DID. Lots of people DON'T have that luxury. BTW I'm a liberal who works THREE jobs, so shut the fuck up.

[conservative608]

psst... $100/mo invested at 12% interest compounded annually beginning in one's 20's growing tax free in a Roth IRA will be $1 million retirement age. An addition $100/mo will add $1 million more at retirement and so on. But one cannot get 12% anymore. Why? Well, something happened between 2003, when Dave Ramsey first published "The Total Money Makeover" and today because he talks about investing at 12% in that book. I am not an economist or financial guy but Democrats were elected in 2006.

[Nuith93]

@conservative608 yes, but what will 1 million dollars be by the time we're retirement age. That's the fallacy, that 1 million dollars is always '1 MILLION DOLLARS'. How much was a car 40 years ago... how about now. That 1 million dollars might only be worth the equivalent of 100,000 dollars by retirement age.

[jtoon200]

@Nuith93

Your point? You're not starting with the 1 million dollars. This is money you collect your entire lifetime. If you see inflation rising, then you up the amount you put away each month.

[conservative608]

psst... These Democrats that purport raising capital gains taxes raises taxes on the wealthy know full well that the overwhelming majority of investors make between $10k to $90k a year.

psst... Barrack Obama wants to nationalize 401k plans to limit everyone to 3% return on investment.

Do the math on this and Democrats hate it when the poor and middle class do well and don't rely on government programs.

[tothehoodimustreturn]

lol the interviewer is such a faggot

[zenmaster72]

@tothehoodimustreturn

his name is John Stossel, and you are a moron.

[Riftguitarduo]

Just read it. Adam Shepherd is awesome

[NetzKaiser]

I order it on amazon and of course I am waiting for the postman.

[robertito8888]

It's all in the attitude, she doesn't have it, and he does has it

[EuphemiseThis]

It's only harder because now middle class, in their effort to keep up with the Jones', expects to have a $120,000 home for each family or individual, have a nice shiny SUV or Hybrid with a 10,000 loan, wear clothes from the trendy stores, have their scooter or speedboat toy, or their fully furnished kitchen kit and designer furniture. Oh, and each family member with a license needs their own vehicle.

We live like the rich did 30 years ago and complain that we can't afford it.

[amartin7889]

What an awesome story. I admire this guy.