THE AMERICAN DREAM concept on which I was raised and to which I dedicated most of my working life...has surely become distorted...if not altogether obliterated...
The American Dream needs to be resurrected and redefined...
In fact, maybe it’s best that we do away with the term altogether inasmuch as I heard recently that political factions intend to use the term fallaciously to achieve even more misdirected political clout...!!!
In any case, bear with me as I attempt to explore and explain the concept as I see it.......
THEN:
The ideal or ‘dream’ as it previously existed simply stated that our American society should do all in its means to see that each and every American that desires it shall be able to acquire HOME OWNERSHIP...
On its surface this ideal appears quite admirable and just...Of course it is mute when it comes to those who neither seek to own their own home nor those for whom home ownership may be either impractical or financially inadvisable...
Nevertheless, THE AMERICAN DREAM as I just outlined it seemed for most to be a great ideal upon which to ‘grow our economy’ while at the same time to demonstrate the strength and social justice of capitalism...!!!
Like many ideals, however, once political power and greed and excessive egotism take hold, free market conditions don’t apply and things get askew...!!!
NOW:
The American Dream has not only been put on the back burner, while millions upon millions of Americans scramble to find jobs, pay bills, provide for future needs and ponder what went wrong, but The American Dream has become a NIGHTMARE for many...
Before we can reposition THE AMERICAN DREAM to its rightful place (I still believe in it in its original form), we must see to the other basic needs of our society and economy...
At least we know now and have learned over the past six or so years that THE AMERICAN DREAM cannot be forced upon anyone...nor must EVERYONE buy into it...!!! I know many successful and financially capable people who choose for any number of good reasons not to acquire their own homes...For some, singles or couples, it may even be financially unwise...!!!
So what is needed to restore sanity to our political system and our economy, and restore THE AMERICAN DREAM to its former majesty...???
I don’t have concrete answers, but I am willing to offer some suggestions which I think are sound and practical...
***We don’t need a lot of new legislation...the laws we currently have aren’t even being enforced...
***Like fine wine, many dreams need to ‘age’...we cant ‘rush’ a dream or ‘force’ it upon anyone...even if it seems politically expedient...we can only remove any impediments that may be in our power to eliminate...e.g. racism, sexism, back room cronyism, greed, egotism, selfishness, etc.
***If something doesn’t make sense...don’t do it...
***Taxation doesn’t create Social Justice, it merely sustains governments...
***CAPITALISM isn’t a dirty word...even the worst totalitarian states must use CAPITALISM if they desire to trade internationally...for my friends who can’t see past this, substitute ‘ASSETS’ for ‘CAPITAL’... 
***If it’s true that we have beneath our American soil all the oil, natural gas, and other natural resources necessary to sustain life, we have a moral duty and obligation to become enablers so that these God given BLESSINGS aren’t misused or ignored...
There are many more suggestions that may be appropriate at this time in our Nation’s history, but this is only a blog, not a complete analysis of the situation...There is plenty here to ‘chew on’ while we get about the task of restoring sanity and common sense to our beloved Nation...!!!
God Bless America and The Real American Dream...!!!
Many people have started to think that home ownership is a right and that we should tax those who have more than we do, just to give to those with less than us. (THIS HAS NEVER WORKED!) Eventually those making the money will leave, leaving those who refuse to work for their share with nothing.
TC,
You and I both know that what you say is true, but it amazes me how many don't see it that way...!!!
Thanks, Fran
The American Dream is really the opportunity for any person in America to be successful. Owning a home does not make one successful, rather is a symbol that one has succeeded to some extent. Although the American Dream is still alive, not everyone chooses to pursue success, or to continue to exert the necessary energy for the duration, and that is part of our freedom. Likewise, not everyone who tries will succeed. Individual success is not an American Entitlement, but an American Dream.
Mike,
Very Well put and well explained...!!!
Only Opportunity is an entitlement, and then from God not government; success, as you say, is not an entitlement...!!! Government should be enablers of freedom, not restrictors...!!!
Thanks, Fran
*Taxation doesn’t create Social Justice, it merely sustains governments...
What a great line, we all can use it on our liberal friends.
Featured Post Silent Majority - This post is now featured in Silent Majority Group of Active Rain!
Dale,
It's getting harder and harder to find 'liberal friends' these days...!!! I have no friends in the media nor in Washington...!!!
Thanks, Fran
Nicholas,
Thanks for the feature...!!!
It dawned on me that we have many young people graduating College with degrees in 'Liberal Arts', making young Conservatives Counter Cultural...Perhaps we should institute degrees in 'Conservative Arts'...!!!
Thanks, Fran
In your blog is the dilema. You say, Like many ideals, however, once political power and greed and excessive egotism take hold, free market conditions don’t apply and things get askew...!!!
I agree with you 100 percent. But then we are faced with seeing that the evil does not take hold. Enter the law. So I always struggle between the balance between government role in protecting vs overbearing versus free market. Loved the post it is great it raises great questions
Charlie,
I don't remember who said it, but I believe 'that government which governs least, governs best'...!!!
I'm quickly becoming a libertarian...!!!
Thanks, Fran
The American Dream has become the American Nightmare, thanks to Big Government.
Fred,
You're right...it's the political version of sleep apnea...!!!
Thanks, Fran