America DividedOne would expect that social equality would simply be the norm in today's society. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Three similar stories about how inequality and the harsh reality of how American society and the workforce are managed show a broader picture of the problems facing Americans trying to make an honest living in the world of today. When someone thinks of the American dream, is this how they imagine it? Is this what Americans envisioned when they thought about what the future held for them? The three authors of these articles don't believe it, and they're pretty sure the Americans don't either. Bob Herbert, in his article “Hiding from Reality,” probably makes the most honest and correct statement: “We deny the extent of the rot in the system and the efforts that would be necessary to reverse the situation” (564). In the first article, “Hiding from Reality,” Bob Herbert talks about the reality of the state of the United States. He believes that America is in a sad state. Herbert says that in terms of the economy, employment and public schools, the country is definitely in decline. Herbert also believes that our country is denying the seriousness of the situation. Unemployment rates are at an all-time high and the fact that our country is going to war without money to finance it is just another reason why Americans are in a downward spiral. No one knows if we will ever recover from the 2009 recession, and Herbert makes it very clear that he doesn't see an end to the suffering Americans are feeling in the near future. Everyone from service workers to state and local government agencies are feeling the effects of the recession. Every program and every employee feels the cuts. Taxes are being raised and employee benefits are being cut... middle of paper ... equality is straining the bonds that bind us as a society, and until we can find a solution , we will thus continue the beaten path of destruction. Work cited Herbert, Bob. “Hiding from reality. » They say I say, the moves that matter in academic writing. Ed. Gérald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russell Durst. 2nd ed. New York, New York; Matrix Publishing Services, 2012. 564-566. Print.Krugman, Paul. “Facing inequalities”. They say I say, the moves that matter in academic writing. Ed. Gérald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russell Durst. 2nd ed. New York, New York; Matrix Publishing Services, 2012. 586-603. Print.Olsson, Karen. “Against Wal-Mart. » They say I say, the moves that matter in academic writing. Ed. Gérald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russell Durst. 2nd ed. New York, New York; Matrix Publishing Services, 2012. 606-618. Print.