Yeah, everyone knows someone. But we all also know 1000 others who did not amount to anything meaningful whatsoever. You need to look at relative numbers. The American dream was when you worked hard and 30 to 50% of the population could at some point afford their own home and business and relative independence. Today this is closer to 10% or so, especially in metropolitan areas. Those 10 or let's make it 15% are those who gained a valuable education, something that cost their parents a lot to afford. Most don't have that luxury. You are the one who is disconnected from reality. A lot of boomers moan about younger generations when they had it really well and ignore the changed landscape for young generations today. You can work extremely hard and have a middle class income and have zero chance to ever afford a home in larger cities where those jobs are that pay a decent salary.
Its a stupid mentality to always rebut the facts and truth by citing a few isolated examples "but I know a few who bla bla bla".