Americans have so far put up with inequality because they felt they could change their status. They didn't mind others being rich, as long as they had a path to move up as well. The American Dream is all about social mobility in a sense - the idea that anyone can make it.

The American dream seems to be thriving in Europe not at home.

What is key to America's understanding of class is the persistent belief - despite all evidence to the contrary - that anyone, with the proper discipline and drive, can move from a lower class to a higher class. We recognize the mobility may be difficult, but the key to our collective self-image is the assumption that mobility is always possible, so failure to move up reflects on one's character.

A basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as the lubricant of social and economic mobility.

The American dream is about freedom.

One of the great dilemmas for America will be that American companies will do very well while American workers might not.