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Dori Monson Show debate: Is the American Dream dead?

Dec 5, 2014, 12:25 PM | Updated: 12:40 pm

Is the American Dream of working your way to the life you want a thing of the past? An economics pr...

Is the American Dream of working your way to the life you want a thing of the past? An economics professor is saying it is, but KIRO Radio's Dori Monson says it's not. (MyNorthwest.com/file)

(MyNorthwest.com/file)

A UC Davis Economics professor has declared the American Dream dead, but not everyone agrees.

KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson says he’s seen the power of the American Dream in his own life.

“I was born in poverty. We were in probably the lowest 5 percent when I was born. Now, I’m probably a 2 percenter, 3 percenter, at the top. It’s just a matter of outworking the competition. I had some good fortune along the way, but it is very, very possible for anybody through diligence to escape whatever social class they’re born into.”

Monson invited UC Davis Professor Gregory Clark on the show to debate their conflicting ideas.

Listen to the debate:

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Dori Monson Show debate: Is the American Dream dead?