Sounds to me like your mother did it RIGHT and worked hard and relied upon herself and not the government to determine her outcome in life. We are ALL born equal (i.e. we all have opportunity to PURSUE happiness) but we will NOT ALL end up the same (i.e. we are NOT guaranteed happiness). Believe it or not my life growing up probably wasn't all that much different from yours.
However, I was taught to rely on myself and that if I work hard AND smart (note just b/c you work hard doesn't guarantee you anything in life you have to make intelligent decisions as well) you can become/do anything you want. My wife was very similar situation growing up "lower middle class" and now we are EVIL 1%s in our early 30s.
The scenario isn't as far fetched as you think it is. We are basically Europe but only a few years away from the problem. When the US debt crisis comes there is going to be nowhere to hide and the government will be forced to RAISE taxes and CUT the dependency programs (medicare; medicade; social security are ALL basically ponzi schemes just waiting to go broke) all the while the economy/stock market collapses. The "47%" will riot (how dare you take away my free Obama phone, flat screen, food and health care!) and mass chaos will ensue. Anyone that has saved/prepared will need to protect themselves from the losers and need supplies to survive off of.
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