The American Dream Wanes: Survey Finds Only 9% Believe It's More Attainable Today

A new survey reveals a staggering decline in optimism about the American Dream, with only a small percentage of Americans believing it has become more attainable in recent years. Experts point to factors such as declining purchasing power, erosion of individual liberties, and burdensome regulations as contributors to this pessimism.

The American Dream, once a beacon of aspiration and opportunity, has taken a significant hit in the eyes of Americans. A sobering survey released by the Rainey Center, a D.C.-based think tank, paints a disheartening picture: only 9% of voters surveyed believe the American Dream is more attainable today than in the past.

This profound shift in perception is particularly concerning among younger Americans. The survey found that the younger the respondents, the less likely they were to express optimism about the future. Just 3% of respondents said the American Dream was "much more" attainable, while 6% stated it was "somewhat more" attainable.

The American Dream Wanes: Survey Finds Only 9% Believe It's More Attainable Today

Angela McArdle, president of the Libertarian Party, attributed this decline to the erosion of upward economic mobility and individual liberties. "We're in very scary territory," she told Fox News Digital. "Donald Trump, you know, while he's been very friendly to libertarians... he does understand the American Dream."

In contrast, McArdle expressed concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris's potential impact on the American Dream. "As you grow and become an adult, you want to be able to save up and make a big purchase, whether that's a home for a lot of people, or it's your first car. And when you have a potential president who's not going to enforce rule of law against property crime, it really takes the excitement out of making a major purchase like that," she said.

The American Dream Wanes: Survey Finds Only 9% Believe It's More Attainable Today

Harris's support for defunding law enforcement and her praise for protesters who caused billions of dollars in property damage during the George Floyd riots have raised alarm among those who believe in the importance of property rights. "That is, I think, real destruction of the American Dream," McArdle asserted.

Sarah Hunt, president of the Rainey Center, stressed the urgency of restoring economic prosperity and equal opportunity. "Americans are losing hope... Young Americans are forgoing the idea of becoming homeowners because of crippling mortgage rates, runaway spending, and detrimental inflation," she said.

The American Dream Wanes: Survey Finds Only 9% Believe It's More Attainable Today

Both Hunt and McArdle identified deregulation as a potential solution to boost optimism about the American Dream. "A fundamental part of... having a government that has sensible policies... is having sensible policies. And, you know, deregulating some of these burdens and regulations that limit our ability to build things or make it harder to start a business would go a long way for giving people more opportunity," Hunt said.

"The barrier to job creation is regulation," McArdle added. "Each added regulation is something that small businesses have to consider when they're calculating... whether to expand or not expand."

The American Dream Wanes: Survey Finds Only 9% Believe It's More Attainable Today

The survey's findings and expert insights underscore the urgent need to address the factors undermining the American Dream. Only by restoring economic prosperity, safeguarding individual liberties, and reducing regulatory burdens can we reignite hope and ensure that future generations can continue to aspire to achieve it.