Classism in America and the Rise of Mercedes-Benz, Research Paper Example

America is best known for allowing individuals that call it home to achieve their dreams. While this has been true for many families, this goal has unfortunately remained out of reach for many. Like in other countries, classism in America is a major problem that allows one group of people to live a better quality of life compared to other citizens. The wealthy class in America is able to enjoy a fancy life style. These individuals have access to luxurious houses, large sums of money, and cars, which act as a status symbol. Because everyone wants to experience the luxuries that people in the wealthy class are able to enjoy, luxury cars have become a hot commodity. Thus, Mercedes-Benz S600 is becoming a favorite choice of American’s upper class. Mercedes-Benz S600 is a luxury car that provides comforts, speed, and combines a comfortable interior with an attractive exterior. The Mercedes-Benz is not only a vehicle, it also satisfies the needs of upper class of Americans; the car includes a series of features that not only upheld the luxury requirements of these individuals, the car includes effective functionality as well. The Mercedes-Benz S600 is a symbol of the American upper class.

Because many upper class citizens in America enjoy emphasizing their status, they consider appearance to be a very important factor in their lifestyles. Thus, they prefer to utilize vehicles that are aligned with this personal goal. Viewing the “Mercedes-May Bach S600 Video Brochure”, it is apparent that this car model and make is known for its high end appearance. At the beginning of the video, a well-dressed man walks off of a private jet and the driver services him into the S600 (0:07 to 0:50). The car brings this individual from the airport to his home, which is a large mansion on the top of a mountain (0:51 to 0:59). In the commercial, the announcers emphasize that the S600 is complete with a hot stone massage, all leather seats, folding table, foot rest, and silver May Bach champagne flutes. These are all luxury items included in the interior design for the purposes of comfort and pleasure. This concept of luxury is further emphasized when the man’s wife appears, adorned by a beautiful skirt, standing on the balcony waiting him to come home. As the man took S600 to home, his wife begins to make up and dress up. She wears a black dress with a diamond ring on her finger, a silver necklace on her neck, and gems on her ears. Every aspect of this commercial emphasizes the luxury that not only the car offers, but the luxury that those who drive it can expect to experience. By depicting this scene, the Mercedes-Benz advertising staff demonstrate that the S600 is not just a car; it is designed for the elite to accommodate their lifestyle. Not only is the car attractive like the people who drive it, its beauty also mirrors their beautiful and extravagant lifestyle. Thus, it is apparent that the car is being marketed as the best because such an advertisement makes it appealing to the upper class in America. Upper class Americans constantly strive to be the best and have the best, so to accomplish this goal, they need to own the S600 model.

The Mercedes-Benz S600 commercial also emphasizes the exclusivity that the American upper class is able to enjoy. In the commercial, after the man arrives home, he changes into black fancy formal dress. Next, he takes his wife to downtown to attend a certain event (2:16 to 2:56). Another point we cannot ignore is that the jewelry his wife wearing and the dress of the man and the lady are great symbols of upper class of America. He has a grey casual suit with a brown British leather shoes when he walks down private jet, and changes into yet another formal suit at the end of commercial. This demonstrates that not only does this man have access to the best service, he is able to enjoy aspects of the world that others only dream of. It is apparent that the event that he attends is exclusive and open only to those with extravagant wealth. Furthermore, the man demonstrates the unique opportunity to change into so many different well-made outfits in a day. Thus, the S600 experience is meant to be for those who wish to act as members of an exclusive club, a club that many millions of people will not be able to enjoy in their lifetimes.

The wealth of an individual plays a crucial in their ability to attain a Mercedes-Benz S600. Individuals that can afford this vehicle are considered to be upper class citizens, while those who cannot are most likely middle or lower class. The price of the Mercedes-Benz S600 starts at 189,350 dollars. Since middle class income is an average of $50,000, it would be necessary for some of these individuals to spend more than three years’ worth of income on a car. It is impossible to spend 2 years’ income to purchase a car. To emphasize this problem, critics of the income gap have explained, “America’s wealth gap between middle-income and upper-income families is widest on record” (Danaparamita). The expense of the S600 is even more dramatic for the lower class. There are some individuals who make $16,000 or less per year. These individuals have trouble affording food and housing, which prevents the purchase of luxury vehicles from becoming a possibility. incoming per year. She may not afford the product like S600. Emily Barone explains the troubles that she has experienced that led her to the lack of ability to earn more than $16,000 each year, “When I was 18, I ran away and ended up in an emergency shelter. If I had listened to my parents and gone to college, I wouldn’t be struggling. I was in a program for people on welfare that offered career help. It was hard. Now I try to save as much as I can. After I pay my bills and take care of the kids, I save the rest. (Barone 53)”. It is apparent that for many people in America, the ability to simply survive is a greater concern than the want or need to acquire any car, let alone a vehicle that costs more than $100,000. However, as long as people continue to desire these cars and acquire them, it will make people like Emily feel that life is unfair. Some can gain funds so easily, while others are left to struggle.

Emily Barone’s story is significantly contrasted by providing an understanding of the type of person that is able to afford the Mercedes-Benz S600. In the same report, a wealthy individual reports that he is able to accrue an income of $332,960 incoming every year. He explains, “I was born in New York City, the youngest of four kids. My dad owned radio stations in New York, and my mother founded a group to protect tenants in landlord disputes. I became a serial entrepreneur” (Barone 54). People who grow up in this kind of environment are more likely to have the ability to live in lives of luxury. Since they are provided with support as children and are raised wealthy, they have a different ability to get ahead in life. Even if this individual had a challenging time finding good work, it is likely that his parents would be able to help him out. Unfortunately, not everyone has this opportunity. Thus, there are those who are able to rise through the ranks of society and there are those who are barely able to survive.

Individuals that make the upper 10% of income in the country do not need to worry about living expenses, so they are able to make extravagant purchases. Thus, they are more likely to purchase cars such as the S600 because they do not have to worry about their living expenses. As a result, they are able to pay more attention to aspects regarding the quality of the product, such as its collection value. Figures have shown that “0.0001% Percentage of the U.S. population made up of the 400 wealthiest individuals” (Guarin et al. 196). Individuals in the top 1% enjoy the collective value of products like the S600. One of the major perks of these types of products is that only a limited amount of these luxury items are made. Thus, even if a middle class individual is able to save their hard earned money for cars like the S600, it is likely that the models will be gone before they are able to afford it. Even if members of the middle class have a chance at entering the exclusive club that is the upper class, the system is geared in a manner that prevents them from being successful, emphasizing the disparity between classes in America. Average citizens ultimately need to focus on necessities and take part in acquiring simple luxuries only when they are affordable. Therefore, it is problematic to compare the lifestyles that are lived between members of the lower class and upper class. Even though many lower class citizens work more, their low wages prevent them from achieving the American dream, while these goals come easily to members of the upper class. There is therefore a need to determine how to make this system fairer for all Americans.

Overall, it is important to consider that many wealthy Americans are living lives of extreme excess while individuals that make lower incomes are facing the consequences. Society is becoming frustrated with the ability of such a small portion of the population to attain great wealth while the majority is barely able to survive. When considering the price of a Mercedes-Benz S600, it is realistic to recognize that the cost of the car could feed a dozen families for a year. Yet, the wealthy continue to invest in items that will make their lives easier and appear more exclusive. The income gap that is present in the United States becomes apparent when we examine the different types of things that Americans are able to afford or choose to spend their money on. However, there remains a clear need to determine how to mend this income gap. While proposing any solution to this problem will still maintain the upper class, it is important for wealth to be distributed in a manner that allows the greatest number of people to survive. Removing social structures that provide favor to the wealthy is one way to accomplish this. By setting change in motion, we will be better able to understand the differences between the lower, middle, and upper class, and institutionalize change in a manner that benefits society as a whole. America is said to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. However, our freedom is compromised if we are forced to constantly worry about our ability to acquire food, clothing, and shelter. Thus, policy change is necessary in the country because it will help support lower income citizens that are barely able to survive. One possible solution to this problem is altering the tax code in a manner that allows people with greater incomes to provide enhanced tax payments to compensate for deficits and stimulate the economy. It is an unfortunate situation when individuals are able to waste their money, while others struggle to simply survive. Class disparity is a primary problem in America and immediate action should be taken to ensure that everyone is able to live freely and fairly, and achieve the American dream.

Works Cited

Barone, Emily. “III. Who We Are.” Time 184.9/10 (2014): 53-58. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

Danaparamita A.. “The Great Gatsby Mansions: Real-Life Homes That Inspired the and Film”. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Web. 2 July 2013.

Guarín, Alejandro, and Peter Knorringa. “New Middle-Class Consumers In Rising Powers: Responsible Consumption and Private Standards.” Oxford Development Studies 42.2 (2014): 196-216. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.

Richard Fry and Rakesh Kochhar. “America’s wealth gap between middle income and upper-income families is widest on record”. Pew Researc Center. Web. 17 December. 2014.