Economic Foundation of American Dream
The economic foundation of the American dream is rooted in home ownership. One works hard, builds a living and a house, then passes ownership to family. In the meantime, communities are born, and a culture is established.
That culture in America today is well established. It’s our middle class, portrayed by suburban growth. It’s our debt based lifestyle.
The images featured in this blog entry are from Washoe County, Nevada, where one in every 124 houses are in foreclosure (Reno-Gazette Journal, 4.17.09). Nevada as a whole has one in every 56 “housing units” in foreclosure.
The heritage of ownership seems more and more alien. Banks own many of our homes, and we are happy to be associated as “units.” The economic crisis today seems to be illuminating. It is reminding us that our culture is driven by a financial authority.
Home ownership has made many people wealthy. But what is it doing to an American heritage?
