How Big Business Destroyed The American Dream - The Thom Hartmann Hidden History

Throughout the course of American history, the pursuit of the American Dream has been at the forefront of society's collective consciousness. It is the belief that with hard work, determination, and a fair chance, anyone can achieve success and prosperity. However, in recent decades, this once widely-held belief has been eroding, and many argue that big business is to blame. In this article, we will explore the hidden history behind how big business has contributed to the destruction of the American Dream, as outlined by author and radio host Thom Hartmann.

An Overview of the American Dream

The American Dream, as defined by James Truslow Adams in 1931, is the notion that "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." It encompasses the ideals of upward mobility, economic prosperity, and social equality. For centuries, immigrants from around the world have flocked to the United States in pursuit of this dream, motivated by the belief that hard work and determination will lead to a better life for themselves and their families.

The Rise of Big Business

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a wave of industrialization and technological advancements swept across America. The advent of railroads, the expansion of factories, and the rise of corporations resulted in the birth of big business. This new era brought about considerable economic growth and prosperity, but it also marked the beginning of a power shift where large corporations held increasing influence over politics, society, and the economy.

The Hidden History of Monopolies: How Big Business Destroyed the American Dream (The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series Book 4)

by Thom Hartmann (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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The Concentration of Wealth

As big business gained prominence, so did income inequality. The wealthy elite amassed enormous fortunes, while the majority of the population struggled to make ends meet. This concentration of wealth had profound consequences for the American Dream, as it created an uneven playing field where opportunities became more limited for those without financial means. The gap between the rich and the poor grew wider, undermining the notion that hard work alone could guarantee success.

The Erosion of Workers' Rights

With the rise of big business came the erosion of workers' rights. As corporations grew in power, they actively sought to suppress labor movements and avoid providing fair compensation and safe working conditions for their employees. By engaging in anti-union tactics and lobbying against labor laws, big business stifled the ability of workers to negotiate for fair wages and better working conditions. Consequently, the American Dream became increasingly out of reach for many workers who found themselves trapped in low-paying, precarious jobs.

The Influence of Money in Politics

In recent decades, the influence of big business in politics has escalated to unprecedented levels. Through political contributions, lobbying efforts, and the funding of think tanks and policy institutes, powerful corporate interests have gained significant control over government decision-making. This has resulted in policies that favor big business, often at the expense of ordinary citizens. The American Dream, once symbolized by the belief that democracy empowers individuals, has been overshadowed by the power of money and corporate influence.

Corporate Tax Evasion and Inequality

One of the most glaring examples of how big business has contributed to the destruction of the American Dream is through corporate tax evasion. Many large companies exploit loopholes and offshore accounts to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. As a result, essential public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure suffer from lack of funding, while the burden of taxation falls disproportionately on the middle class and working poor. This economic inequality further erodes opportunities for upward mobility, perpetuating a system where success is increasingly predetermined by wealth and privilege rather than merit.

The American Dream, once a beacon of hope for countless individuals, is gradually fading away under the influence of big business. The concentration of wealth, erosion of workers' rights, influence of money in politics, and corporate tax evasion have all played a substantial role in undermining the ideals of economic prosperity and social equality. As we confront the hidden history of how big business has destroyed the American Dream, it becomes evident that addressing these issues is crucial for a more equitable and prosperous future.

The Hidden History of Monopolies: How Big Business Destroyed the American Dream (The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series Book 4)

by Thom Hartmann (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3093 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

FREE

“This is the most important, dynamic book on the cancers of monopoly by giant corporations written in our generation.”—from the foreword by Ralph Nader

American monopolies dominate, control, and consume most of the energy of our entire economic system; they function the same as cancer does in a body, and, like cancer, they weaken our systems while threatening to crash the entire body economic. American monopolies have also seized massive political power and use it to maintain their obscene profits and CEO salaries while crushing small competitors.

But Thom Hartmann, America's #1 progressive radio host, shows we've broken the control of behemoths like these before, and we can do it again.

Hartmann takes us from the birth of America as a revolt against monopoly (remember the Boston Tea Party?), to the largely successful efforts of both Presidents Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt and other like-minded leaders to restrain corporations' monopolistic urges, to the massive changes in the rules of business starting during the “Reagan Revolution” that have brought us to the cancer stage of capitalism.

He shows the damage monopolies have done to so many industries: agriculture, healthcare, the media, and more. Individuals have taken a hit as well: the average American family pays a $5,000 a year “monopoly tax” in the form of higher prices for everything from pharmaceuticals to airfare to household goods and food. But Hartmann also describes commonsense, historically rooted measures we can take—such as revitalizing antitrust regulation, taxing great wealth, and getting money out of politics—to pry control of our country from the tentacles of the monopolists.