Responses on: "How do you react to the United States being labelled as the "land of opportunity?" "

Informant #18499: The label needs to be used cautiously. The United States is really a land of opportunity if one has much wealth, power, and significant powerful connections. The vast majority of Americans do not have wealth, power, and powerful connections, so opportunity is very limited.

Informant #18503: Even though the economy is low and it is difficult to find a job right now, I still believe the U.S. offers many opportunities

Informant #18504: Yes, I agree.

Informant #18544: It's all a matter of perspective

Informant #18579: I think it is

Informant #18605: I like it and believe it.

Informant #18654: It is.

Informant #18656: Agree

Informant #18661: Used to be a land of opportunity -- but the opportunities are slowly eroding away due to the global economy

Informant #18667: I strongly agree

Informant #18668: I agree

Informant #18669: There is some truth to it. But the number of choices in the United States is not nearly as great as we are forced to believe through press reports and propaganda released by the government.

Informant #18680: I believe the United States is a land of opportunity.

Informant #18686: Strongly agree.

Informant #18687: agree

Informant #18690: I react with great caution. US takes away a greater share of the world's resources compared to its populartion percentage. This is UNFAIR. Using their superpower status they cause other nations to submit to their hegemony. If everything goes according to ones needs and plans - it is not hard to be labelled as a land of plenty or oportunity! In fact, US has survuved thanks to other countries.

Informant #18693: Very Favorably

Informant #18697: A healthy young person with a lot of initiative and hardwork can do well materially in the USA. One can do the same in other countries too - but has been easy in the USA in last 40 years.

Informant #18700: It is for any hardworking individual.

Informant #18702: I totally agree

Informant #18706: The lable is mostly true.

Informant #18707: Absolutely agree.

Informant #18708: I totally agree.

Informant #18711: Mostly true in pre 9-11 scenario.

Informant #18716: I believe there are many opportunities here, but not all of them are available to everyone.

Informant #18717: Agree

Informant #18724: Reasonable

Informant #18726: well

Informant #18750: To some extent I agree to this statement. Any hardworking person can make a living here. But, there is a limit as to how far up you can go. In the industries even if someone is head and shoulder above the other candidate, top level positions are denied.

Informant #18751: Agree with the statement

Informant #18752: Completely true

Informant #18760: By and large this is true. However, this is not a land of "equal opportunity." Socio-economic status confers a distinct advantage.

Informant #18765: AGREE COMPLETELY

Informant #18767: very true

Informant #18769: US is a land of opportunity. We had nothing lacking in my country but better employment and job satisfaction brought us here.

Informant #18790: It is correct.

Informant #18791: It is and it isn't. It is one of the few countries that allows upward mobility to enterprising people, however, one pays a steep price for the opportunity.

Informant #18792: Very True

Informant #18794: This is not an easy question to respond with one answer as the answer depends on the definition of the word "opportunity." The answer, at one and same time, can be yes and no. This tends to be the case for immigrants who have been here for long time. For an immigrant, if the purpose of immigration is fulfilled within a reasonable time, it is fair to assume that, at least initially, the country has offered the immigrant the opportunity sought. As the expectation increases with each fulfilled purpose, there are increasing hurdles for further advancement, some of which may not be viewed as fair. Thus, one may hit a glass ceiling and the phrase "land of opportunity" is no longer valid, at least in the eyes of the immigrant.

Informant #18799: OK

Informant #18825: agree

Informant #18829: Land of opportunity professionally, daily life easy; but whether the two are needed for a fulfilling life is not clear.

Informant #18853: I think it rings true because you have a lot more opportunities here than in other countries.

Informant #18860: I agree with that statement. US is a land of oppurtunity and that is the reason it attracts immigrants.

Informant #18861: It is indeed the land of opportunity. If I decide to be something, the opportunities are unlimited.

Informant #18863: not the same anymore

Informant #18864: good place to retire and stay

Informant #18919: It is true

Informant #18952: It is very true, but nothin will be handed to you, you have to work for what you earn. Most people coming here think they will strike it rich right away but it seems that there is a process that takes a generation or two to be integrated into the system.

Informant #18957: It is a land of opportunity if you play by the rules that are established. Opportunity is largely based on education. Since education serves as the gateway everyone needs access in order to determine his/her own capacity to succeed.

Informant #18959: I believe that America is the land of opportunity, there is no other country in the world that is as technologically advanced as we are.

Informant #18964: will . I think it is the land of opprotunity. However, i think i owe my home because my country send me here to study.

Informant #18974: the opportunities are there, but there are sacrifices that come along with it.

Informant #18978: the american dream is here and everyone wants and deserves a chance at that. this is the land of opportunity to have a good life with many opportunities

Informant #18999: It depends on where you start out at in the social chain

Informant #293086: It's true.