This post reminded me of a message my kid sent me. He's in his mid-20s, has a full-time job with benefits as do most of his friends...they are all on social media so, this is most likely where this came from.
The American dream does not exist, the only reason it existed before is because the US Empire was at the peak of its imperialist power. It's control over the rest of the world was absolute. By causing horrific suffering around the world, the US could provide luxuries for its citizens.
Today, that control is slipping. The capitalists extract the greatest possible profits from its workers and the workers want to be paid as much as possible for their labor. These two goals cannot be reconciled and so there will always be conflict.
The problem in hypercapitalistic countries like the United states, is that the capitalistic class has near complete control. They've destroyed unions, gutted labor protections, bought favorable legislation to make those processes easier and are now able to make things worse and worse for the average person.
That's why you can't afford a home, or groceries, or a car. That's why you don't have any benefits. That's why every new job created is gig work. It's not because you are unlucky or that the country is going through a rough spot or the wrong person is in the Oval Office.
This is how capitalism works. It will always be how it works and that's why you will never be able to afford the American dream.