10 Other Sources for Information

http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/American_Dream.htm
Most people in America still strive for the American dream of financial independence, yet people are willing to throw away the ethics in the modern era for the quick way to financial independence.
The American Dream." Arnet - Home Page of the American Studies Centre at Liverpool JMU. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. .

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/04/american-dream200904
Rethinking American dream
"Rethinking the American Dream | vanityfair.com." Vanity Fair | vanityfair.com. Vanity Fair, Apr. 2009. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .
The American Dream is should be both about economic independence, but there should be a limit to how much people have to work and go into debt to achieve this dream.

http://www.economicmobility.org/assets/pdfs/EMP_American_Dream.pdf
Econmic Mobility is decreasing in the United States and therefore making it harder for people to achieve higher income in the United States therefore making the rich richer.
Sawhill, Isabel V., and John E. Morton. Is the American Dream Alive and Well. Publication. Pew Charitalbe Trusts. Print.

http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2007/July/200707261445221CJsamohT0.1857721.html
Immigrants are assimilating into the U.S. well and their opportunity to move up the economic ladder is still strong.
"American Dream Still Alive and Well for Immigrants, Report Says." America - Engaging the World - America.gov. U.S. Government, 26 July 2007. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .

http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/22/news/economy/poverty_overview/index.htm
Poverty in America is increasing as the poor get poor and the rich get richer due to inadequate government programs
"The changing face of poverty: an overview - Dec. 30, 2004." Business, financial, personal finance news - CNNMoney.com. 30 Dec. 2004. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg1713.cfm
What is classified as being in poverty in America is a greater standard of living than what most people consider poverty, therefore less people live in poverty than that is stated.
Rector, Robert E. "Understanding Poverty in America." The Heritage Foundation - Conservative Policy Research and Analysis. Heritage Foundation, 5 Jan. 2004. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07344.pdf
Poverty in America is an increasing problem and is undercutting the well being of the nation as many poor people have less access to health care and other services.
United States Government Accountability Office. Poverty in America. GAO, 2007. Web.
http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/poll/poverty/
People in America believe that the government standard of what is considered being poor is not high enough and Americans cannot agree on the cause of poverty.
"Poverty Poll." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. .
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=113&sid=22e87ca9-53cb-422c-bcbe-f536216fcc94%40sessionmgr113
Ending Poverty in America must be taken from many different angles. Even though poverty has decreased since the 1960’s income inequality has increased since the 60’s therefore governments need to take action is needed.
http://metalib.wisconsin.edu/V/M39GX1DM4P6QYTY84NJ7TEGRXTTU2XX7CYV3D3P1NFCKIVKQHS-09920?func=meta-3&short-format=002&set_number=017589&set_entry=000012&format=999
The best way to get out of poverty is not only through religious organizations and better education.
Thomas, Oliver. "A path out of poverty." Academic Search Complete. 3 Mar. 2008. Web. 7 Dec. 2009. .

Journal # 4

Chapter 13 starts out with Adam getting a new roommate. His new roommate goes by the nickname of BG. We all found it surprising on how conceited BG was; it was either his way or no way. BG was lazy and stubborn which later causes issues with Adam. Adam tries to remain calm and he for the most part gets along with BG. Adam calls it a love-hate relationship with BG, and states that they were too alike, both stubborn and contentious. Over time BG and Adam fight, but Adam states that they joke around and pick fun of each other instead of actually getting angry with one another.

Adam’s tone in this section seems frustrated. Every other paragraph Adam is talking about one of BG’s little quirks that annoy Adam. From not cleaning the house, to being lazy at home, Adam seems to dislike many habits that his new roommate possesses throughout these chapters. It comes to a point where Adam and BG bump heads too often and Adam asks for BG to be moved to another crew at Fast Company, so that Adam would not need to deal with BG for 24 hours a day.

Then BG got into the habit of ‘borrowing’ Adam’s truck on a regular basis. For an example, BG asked Adam if he could borrow his truck to run up to the gas station, which Adam did not have a problem with, as long as he grabbed Adam a mountain Dew. This quick run to the gas station turned into five hours on more than one occasion which really got on Adam’s nerves. Adam was usually pretty calm and didn’t say much to BG about these incidents, and they actually were starting to become better friends. BG would share with Adam about his time in jail and Adam loved listening to these stories that BG told.

BG and Adam at the start of chapter 15 start to not get along at all. They didn’t joke around anymore; they were verbally fighting, instead of just wisecracking each other. Then BG would simply take Adam’s truck, instead of asking, and on top of that he would be gone for hours at a time. Adam decides that he needs to teach BG a lesson. We found this next part to be the most interesting to us, because it was something creative and not like Adam. Adam knew that BG went down a dance club that is called LD’s. Adam decided that BG needed a lesson, so he went down to LD’s and hid the truck. Later that night, BG rolled into the apartment, telling Adam that someone stole his truck. Little did BG know that the truck was just around the corner, and he searched all night, until Adam broke the news to BG that his truck was around the corner.
BG and Adam still had problems in the future, as BG still took his truck whenever he pleased. Adam soon let his frustration out, and they got into a fist fight. Adam explains to us that he is a terrible fighter and got beat up pretty hard. In the end though, this fight brings BG and Adam closer. Adam then sums up his last chapter with how he breaks the news to Derrick and BG about the project that he had been pursuing the past year. Adam then moves back to Raleigh because of his parent’s health, and he needed to support his family.

In Adam’s final chapter, he states many opinions that come out of the blue. We all thought that this was not the right way to end his book. He had no supporting evidence and it was all about how he wanted to fix America to make it better. Overall we all thought that the book was entertaining, but that last chapter really ruined the book. He did not need to share with us his opinions on how our country is flawed and needs to be changed.

Summarizer with a twist for end of the book (Charlie Warnes)

In the last two chapters of the book everything Adam thought wouldn’t ever happen, happened. His mom was diagnosed with cancer for second time and his relationship with BG was really put to the test. BG and Adam get in a huge fight and with no excuses in his defense Adam gets the crap kicked out of him. Adam is a horrible fighter but that didn’t register in his mind before the fight and even after it because he went back for seconds. After the fighting escapade the two become like best friends and finally learn to treat and give respect to one another. What is even more important than the odd connection between BG and Adam is that Adam’s stay at Charleston is suddenly interrupted when he is forced to move back home and support is fragile mother in her battle against cancer. Everything he worked for and built up in Charleston would be left behind only for him to start anew in Raleigh. Adam ends up living with his brother and working two jobs for a while; life gets tough for him back at home. But all in all Adam can look back on his project and say it was a success.
The last section of the book is written with a sense of fulfillment. Everything seems to come together and everything seems to work out in the end. Adam’s perception of the homeless and on budgeting your money will be forever changed due to this project, and for the better. The writing of the last section in the book seemed to be more intellectual than the rest… it seemed like Adam wasn’t afraid of letting the reader know that he indeed went to college. As he reached the end of his journey, Adam was less and less afraid to tell people the truth for once and he learned to always give a helping hand. The book ended with a sense of enlightenment and I am glad it did.

Discussion Leader 15 & 16 (Logan)

Why did Adam make such a big deal about BG taking his car all of the time?

- Adam got very sick of BG always lying about where he was going and how long that he was going to be gone. Adam decided that he needed to teach BG a lesson, but the first lesson still did not make a difference. Adam then blew up at BG and got into a fight with him, which turned out ugly for Adam.

Why do you think that Adam doesn't mention hsi parent's health issues until the last chapter?

-He either didnt feel like it was the right time, or had planned to write about it in his last chapter. I found it interesting that he did not ever mention it, because he seemed throughout the book to be close to his family. in thre early chapters, he even states that his parents were very worried about him, rather than he being worried about them.

Do you think that Adam wrote this book to prove a point?

-It would seem as if he is trying to pursuade his audience in the last chapter. It was filled with opinions on what needs to be done in this country. So, yes it did seem like he was trying to prove a point that the American Dream is still alive, but also that things need to be changed in this country economically speaking.

Why do you think that Adam left out a lot of interesting stories? For example when the guy outside of the shelter got stabbed.

-Adam even states that he could have written another hundred pages, but his moral was to tell us his story, not to entertain us with other side story's. His point was to inform us on the poverty in America and that the American dream is still alive yet today.

Graphic Organizer Chapters 15 & 16 (Cody Sanoy)

At the end of the book Adam's goals have been fulfilled. He ended up making around $5000, owning a working car, and living in a furnished home. He also accomplished this in less time than was allotted, which is impressive. He showed that with a good plan, hard work, perseverance, and optimism you can find success and meet your goals.

Vocab 15-End Stephen Fisher

197-Tolerance: Acceptance of the differing views of other people and fairness towards these views.
198-Psychopath: Personality Disorder marked by aggressive, violent, antisocial thought and behavior and a lack of remorse or empathy.
201-Indolent: lazy and not showing interest in any effort
201-Lethargic: physically slow and mentally dull as a result of tiredness or disease.
207-Aura: characteristic or distinctive impression created by somebody or something
207-Belated: occurring after the appropriate or expected time
208-Cronies: a close friend, especially one of long standing
212-Adversity: hardship and suffering
214-Solace: comfort at a time of sadness, grief, or disappointment
217-Subsequently: happening at a later time and often as a consequence.