Good morning Cactus Flower,
In the USA, you can aspire to become anything you work for, even president, as long as you're born here.
You don't need to be born into a family to become "king or queen."
Anything is/was possible, free education available for all, at least until college. Then grants & other means of relief would be offered if you were a good student.
Now, the costs of college make it nearly impossible for many, especially since a "job" is no longer guaranteed after you graduate. Unless you're going to be an engineer or doctor or go into the sciences, the young folks would probably be wiser to learn a trade.
When you need a plumber or electrician you need to hire local.
We were NOT an aggressor until GWB attacked Iraq.
We were respected as a country, known for our benevolence. Now we are considered a "bully", even Obama increasing troops in Afghanistan added to this image.
Americans trusted the "system".
We worked, saved, bought homes, raised families, fought for our country.
Wall Street abused the system, bankers abused the system. Government watched and turned a blind eye & allowed this to happen, because they were depending on these businesses to support their reelections.
There is a HUGE conflict of interest in the system.
This has tilted the scales. We became a great country because of the strong Middle Class that developed.
This Middle Class has been attacked, unions are smeared, teachers & firemen painted as greedy. Meanwhile the top 1% has amassed monies unheard of.
We are watching the evaporation of the Middle Class, with us goes the strength of the country. Instead of a solid thick tree trunk, a thin branch is holding up this country.
I don't know how or if this will improve? clo

DO SOMETHING!