The “S” Word and the Myth Of the Meritocracy

To my surprise people are actually shocked at the scope of the college admissions scandal

To twist a quote from Gordon Gekko

Too many who do not enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and famous, are basking in the glow of a brighter sun, the “American Nightmare." Inequality is baked into the system at all levels. Stagnant wages, rising healthcare, and college costs have squeezed the middle class severely. Consequently, the “American Dream“ has become a nightmare. In contrast, Wall Street, corporate America, highly paid CEO’s rake in record profits. Corporation like Amazon gets a hefty tax cut. Meanwhile "Joe Six-pack” is looking at reduced tax refunds.

With 2020 looming President Trump seeks to label Democrats as extremists and socialism a dirty word. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are proud proponents of democratic socialism are any of their ideas worth merit “Medicare for all,” a “Green New Deal” to save the planet and create jobs. Free college tuition and making corporations pay their fair share so we can solve social issues and repairing our decaying infrastructure. Shocking!

To twist a quote from Gordon Gekko. “Greed is not good.” Surely we can strike a balance between unfettered capitalism and giving people a fair shot at a better life. The admissions scandal reminds us that life is not always fair and too many socialism may not sound like a bad idea after all.