The “American Dream” has grossly transformed in recent years from what was once considered a freedom that allowed citizens to pursue goals in life through hard work and free choice to a new modern day form of imprisonment. The majority of Americans still hold to the aspirations of being financially independent, having a family and a successful career. Unfortunately, these goals are becoming harder and harder to accomplish. The cost of living from 1950 to 2008 had risen eight hundred and eight percent. The average cost of a gallon of gas was eighteen cents while last year costs skyrocketed to over four dollars a gallon. Housing costs have also become increasingly burdensome. In 1950, the average cost of a new home was just under eight and a half thousand dollars while today the average American spends roughly three hundred thousand dollars to become a proud homeowner. And since citizens are living on average ten years longer in 2008, cost of retirement has also greatly increased. If the everyday worker retires at age fifty-five, they must find a way to budget for the next twenty to thirty years with no wages being brought in. With such an emphasis on wealth to become financially independent, a successful career is a must, however achieving this goal is also turning into a near impossible feat. Education costs have jumped from under one thousand dollars a year at MIT to almost thirty-five thousand dollars currently. Not only has the expense risen, but so has the level of competition. The number of enrollees in college programs throughout the United States has risen over fifty-five percent. Students have to start preparing for college earlier and earlier if they want to beat out their competitors. Why is there such an emphasis on education? The answer is the ability to make it in today’s workforce. Employers are requiring more and more of prospective employees. Businesses are requiring higher degrees and more experience of today’s worker. The ability to have a...