The American Dream...or the socialist progressive dream?

[Liberty]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken from us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

 

[Urbanguerrilla]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken for us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

Life is not the same as sport - in sport you can have a winner, but when peoples survival or health is at issue giving everyone a 'trophy' is not a bad idea.

The society you want does not praise achievement, it denies a fair chance to the many so the few can acumulate excess wealth. IMO those who achieve in such a society are not the 'best of the best' as the propaganda would have it, but are the luckiest, the most ruthless, the most criminal or inherit wealth to start with.

Society does not need to be made up of a few having most of the wealth, but should be made up of a community of equals - equality is the key to happiness.

 

[Cecilie1200]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken for us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

Life is not the same as sport - in sport you can have a winner, but when peoples survival or health is at issue giving everyone a 'trophy' is not a bad idea.

The society you want does not praise achievement, it denies a fair chance to the many so the few can acumulate excess wealth. IMO those who achieve in such a society are not the 'best of the best' as the propaganda would have it, but are the luckiest, the most ruthless, the most criminal or inherit wealth to start with.

Society does not need to be made up of a few having most of the wealth, but should be made up of a community of equals - equality is the key to happiness.

Please give an example of our society denying a "fair chance" - whatever the fuck "fair" is supposed to be this week - to "the many".

And no, equality is not the key to happiness to me. As the OP said, I have no dream to be mediocre and part of the herd.

 

[Urbanguerrilla]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken for us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

Life is not the same as sport - in sport you can have a winner, but when peoples survival or health is at issue giving everyone a 'trophy' is not a bad idea.

The society you want does not praise achievement, it denies a fair chance to the many so the few can acumulate excess wealth. IMO those who achieve in such a society are not the 'best of the best' as the propaganda would have it, but are the luckiest, the most ruthless, the most criminal or inherit wealth to start with.

Society does not need to be made up of a few having most of the wealth, but should be made up of a community of equals - equality is the key to happiness.

Please give an example of our society denying a "fair chance" - whatever the fuck "fair" is supposed to be this week - to "the many".

And no, equality is not the key to happiness to me. As the OP said, I have no dream to be mediocre and part of the herd.

You're changing the issue cecilie, Liberty wants to get rid of 'our society' and replace it with a 'winner only' society in which the mass of individuals are pushed aside.

You are not mediocre nor are you part 'of the herd', nor is anybody else. Accumulating wealth or things at the expense of others does not make people happy (ultimately).

I posted a video recently in which many Americans who had become homeless through no fault of their own talked of their misfortunes. I felt these were good people, many of them professionals who had lost out through the vagaries of the economy. Not one comment was left.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Life is not the same as sport - in sport you can have a winner, but when peoples survival or health is at issue giving everyone a 'trophy' is not a bad idea.

The society you want does not praise achievement, it denies a fair chance to the many so the few can acumulate excess wealth. IMO those who achieve in such a society are not the 'best of the best' as the propaganda would have it, but are the luckiest, the most ruthless, the most criminal or inherit wealth to start with.

Society does not need to be made up of a few having most of the wealth, but should be made up of a community of equals - equality is the key to happiness.

Please give an example of our society denying a "fair chance" - whatever the fuck "fair" is supposed to be this week - to "the many".

And no, equality is not the key to happiness to me. As the OP said, I have no dream to be mediocre and part of the herd.

You're changing the issue cecilie, Liberty wants to get rid of 'our society' and replace it with a 'winner only' society in which the mass of individuals are pushed aside.

Trying to pretend that this is all just about personally, individually attacking Liberty isn't gonna fly, unless you're prepared to categorically prove that Liberty is advocating a society based on a handful of corrupt individuals fucking over the masses and using them as slaves. Otherwise, we're going to have to go with the idea that Liberty is advocating exactly what his post indicates: capitalism and a free-market society, which most assuredly does NOT deny opportunity to most people.

Don't blame me or Liberty if a society that has winners and losers rather than mindless, artificially-equalized drones on the dole doesn't happen to include you in the "winners" category. That's your problem.

You are not mediocre nor are you part 'of the herd', nor is anybody else. Accumulating wealth or things at the expense of others does not make people happy (ultimately).

Actually, many people ARE mediocre and part of the herd. Some of them simply don't have the capacity to become exceptional, and some choose not to take the risk. The first is the injustice of the cosmos and outside anyone's ability to change, and the second is their personal choice and no reason to begrudge or deprive me of the rewards of choosing to take that risk.

I posted a video recently in which many Americans who had become homeless through no fault of their own talked of their misfortunes. I felt these were good people, many of them professionals who had lost out through the vagaries of the economy. Not one comment was left.

Excepting people with mental illnesses, there's no such thing as "homeless through no fault of their own".

 

[sangha]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken from us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

The American Dream is being lived by millions of americans. If it is beyond your reach, it is your fault

In the real America (not the depressing dystopia you blame for your lack of acheivement) atheletes like Tiger Woods, A-Rod, etc make the big bucks, and the losers get no trophy.

So man up, and take responsibility for your pitiful inability to succeed

 

[Urbanguerrilla]

Actually, many people ARE mediocre and part of the herd. Some of them simply don't have the capacity to become exceptional, and some choose not to take the risk. The first is the injustice of the cosmos and outside anyone's ability to change, and the second is their personal choice and no reason to begrudge or deprive me of the rewards of choosing to take that risk.

Interesting, so do these mediocre people tend to be black or perhaps hispanic? do they lack this ability from birth, and if we can detect such...sub humans (?) should we abort them to enhance the population...do you see where I'm coming from?

Excepting people with mental illnesses, there's no such thing as "homeless through no fault of their own".

You must be doing well cecilie, I hope for you sake you dont fall through the cracks in your philosophy, in the US of great inequality you will have a long way to fall and few if any ways out of your dilemma.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Today unfortunately all too often, the American system rewards vice and punishes virtue.
This is done on many levels.
Working hard, paying your debts faithfully, living within your means, saving money for the future etc. etc. is great. But unfortunately in today's system - you will find all those who did none of these things - got many of the same things you worked for - but got it on your dime.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Actually, many people ARE mediocre and part of the herd. Some of them simply don't have the capacity to become exceptional, and some choose not to take the risk. The first is the injustice of the cosmos and outside anyone's ability to change, and the second is their personal choice and no reason to begrudge or deprive me of the rewards of choosing to take that risk.

Interesting, so do these mediocre people tend to be black or perhaps hispanic? do they lack this ability from birth, and if we can detect such...sub humans (?) should we abort them to enhance the population...do you see where I'm coming from?

Your racism is your problem, not mine. Please don't project it onto me, or attempt to shoehorn it into conversations with me.

I'm very sorry if it's a newsflash to you that some people in the world are born with substandard intelligence, and I'm very, VERY sorry if your natural, liberal crassness leads you to assume that such people - or any person - could be categorized as a "subhuman". You make me very glad that I'm a conservative and thus don't devalue basic humanity the way you do.

Excepting people with mental illnesses, there's no such thing as "homeless through no fault of their own".

You must be doing well cecilie, I hope for you sake you dont fall through the cracks in your philosophy, in the US of great inequality you will have a long way to fall and few if any ways out of your dilemma.

I am doing quite well. I haven't always been, and I can assure you that my philosophy has no "cracks" for me to fall through, because unlike whining victims like you and those you prattle about, I do not simply sit around and let life happen to me willy-nilly. That is the difference between temporary setbacks and outright failure.

The only inequality I can see in the US is an uneven distribution of character and moxie.

 

[sangha]

Today unfortunately all too often, the American system rewards vice and punishes virtue.
This is done on many levels.
Working hard, paying your debts faithfully, living within your means, saving money for the future etc. etc. is great. But unfortunately in today's system - you will find all those who did none of these things - got many of the same things you worked for - but got it on your dime.

That's what the failures always say. "The game is rigged!!!"

Meanwhile, millions of law abiding Americans prosper

 

[MaggieMae]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken from us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

I agreed with everything you said until you blamed only the left. How dumb.

Ironically, where I live, it is conservative communities who vote Republican who can afford to send their children to private schools and where all their kids get a "prize" no matter who wins the game. It's those same children who grow into teens and bully others just because they're not so fortunate. They grow into young adults and go to the finest and most expensive colleges and universities, graduate, and then go into the business world expecting the same "prizes" for doing a shitty job because they can't spell, can't put together a cohesive sentence, but they've got a fucking degree from some ritzy college that says they're special, and by gum they should be treated as such.

 

[sangha]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken from us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

I agreed with everything you said until you blamed only the left. How dumb.

Ironically, where I live, it is conservative communities who vote Republican who can afford to send their children to private schools and where all their kids get a "prize" no matter who wins the game. It's those same children who grow into teens and bully others just because they're not so fortunate. They grow into young adults and go to the finest and most expensive colleges and universities, graduate, and then go into the business world expecting the same "prizes" for doing a shitty job because they can't spell, can't put together a cohesive sentence, but they've got a fucking degree from some ritzy college that says they're special, and by gum they should be treated as such.

You shouldn't have. She's completely wrong

The American Drea, has NEVER been "INDIVIDUALS can accomplish anything they want"

The American Dream is "Obey the law, work hard, and you'll be able to get a job that can support you and your family, and a house with a picket fence, 2 cars in the garage, and a chicken in every pot"

IOW, the American Dream is not about being wealthy, or flying to the moon - it's about attaining a middle class level of financial security.

 

[Cecilie1200]

One thing that has been lost over time is the American Dream is a dream by INDIVIDUALS to be able to accomplish whatever they want. Too often it's our government coming out with legislation to "help people fulfill the American Dream" when, by their actions, they are ensuring that can never happen. A push toward equality is the worst thing that could ever happen to the Dream. How many people do you know who dream of the day that they can finally be mediocre?

The welfare state and entitlement culture is changing it. Individual achievement is no longer celebrated as it once was. Why give the best player on the team a trophy when that might hurt feelings? Instead, give all players a trophy to celebrate mediocrity. Unfortunately, when you cherish mediocrity for too long you eventually become mediocre yourself.

We must turn our backs on that way of thinking. Celebrate diversity, not only in appearance, but in aptitude and ability. Celebrate accomplishments, not only when the least talented succeed, but also when the most talented do. And celebrate hard work, certainly when it pays off, but especially when it doesn't. Those three values have been taken from us and twisted by progressive socialists and the uneducated left. If we can restore them, we can help restore America.

I agreed with everything you said until you blamed only the left. How dumb.

Ironically, where I live, it is conservative communities who vote Republican who can afford to send their children to private schools and where all their kids get a "prize" no matter who wins the game. It's those same children who grow into teens and bully others just because they're not so fortunate. They grow into young adults and go to the finest and most expensive colleges and universities, graduate, and then go into the business world expecting the same "prizes" for doing a shitty job because they can't spell, can't put together a cohesive sentence, but they've got a fucking degree from some ritzy college that says they're special, and by gum they should be treated as such.

You shouldn't have. She's completely wrong

The American Drea, has NEVER been "INDIVIDUALS can accomplish anything they want"

The American Dream is "Obey the law, work hard, and you'll be able to get a job that can support you and your family, and a house with a picket fence, 2 cars in the garage, and a chicken in every pot"

IOW, the American Dream is not about being wealthy, or flying to the moon - it's about attaining a middle class level of financial security.

I disagree wholeheartedly with your desire to narrowly define for everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to.

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""
American Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(I know I don't usually approve of Wikipedia, but I know most of this board seems to think it's gospel written by the finger of God, so . . . )

What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream?

Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.

Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Is this your American Dream?
What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is DEFINITELY that individuals can aspire to whatever they want, and accomplish as much as their talent, effort, and luck will let them.

 

[MaggieMae]

I agreed with everything you said until you blamed only the left. How dumb.

Ironically, where I live, it is conservative communities who vote Republican who can afford to send their children to private schools and where all their kids get a "prize" no matter who wins the game. It's those same children who grow into teens and bully others just because they're not so fortunate. They grow into young adults and go to the finest and most expensive colleges and universities, graduate, and then go into the business world expecting the same "prizes" for doing a shitty job because they can't spell, can't put together a cohesive sentence, but they've got a fucking degree from some ritzy college that says they're special, and by gum they should be treated as such.

You shouldn't have. She's completely wrong

The American Drea, has NEVER been "INDIVIDUALS can accomplish anything they want"

The American Dream is "Obey the law, work hard, and you'll be able to get a job that can support you and your family, and a house with a picket fence, 2 cars in the garage, and a chicken in every pot"

IOW, the American Dream is not about being wealthy, or flying to the moon - it's about attaining a middle class level of financial security.

I disagree wholeheartedly with your desire to narrowly define for everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to.

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""
American Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(I know I don't usually approve of Wikipedia, but I know most of this board seems to think it's gospel written by the finger of God, so . . . )

What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream?

Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.

Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Is this your American Dream?
What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is DEFINITELY that individuals can aspire to whatever they want, and accomplish as much as their talent, effort, and luck will let them.

Operative words:

In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

Like that happens.

 

[sangha]

I agreed with everything you said until you blamed only the left. How dumb.

Ironically, where I live, it is conservative communities who vote Republican who can afford to send their children to private schools and where all their kids get a "prize" no matter who wins the game. It's those same children who grow into teens and bully others just because they're not so fortunate. They grow into young adults and go to the finest and most expensive colleges and universities, graduate, and then go into the business world expecting the same "prizes" for doing a shitty job because they can't spell, can't put together a cohesive sentence, but they've got a fucking degree from some ritzy college that says they're special, and by gum they should be treated as such.

You shouldn't have. She's completely wrong

The American Drea, has NEVER been "INDIVIDUALS can accomplish anything they want"

The American Dream is "Obey the law, work hard, and you'll be able to get a job that can support you and your family, and a house with a picket fence, 2 cars in the garage, and a chicken in every pot"

IOW, the American Dream is not about being wealthy, or flying to the moon - it's about attaining a middle class level of financial security.

I disagree wholeheartedly with your desire to narrowly define for everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to.

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""
American Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(I know I don't usually approve of Wikipedia, but I know most of this board seems to think it's gospel written by the finger of God, so . . . )

What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream?

Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.

Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Is this your American Dream?
What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is DEFINITELY that individuals can aspire to whatever they want, and accomplish as much as their talent, effort, and luck will let them.

If wingnuts didn't lie, they'd have nothing to say

I never said anything about telling "everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to".

I merely corrected your absurd definition of the American Dream. Even the quote you just posted proves you wrong. You said that the American Dream was that every INDIVIDUAL could be whatever they wanted to be. The truth is

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

I see nothing about individuals becoming "whatever they want to be"

Try again.

 

[midcan5]

'Wake up: the American Dream is over'

"Even America's richest think they're getting too many tax breaks from a government determined to keep the poor in their place. As poverty in the US grows, Paul Harris wonders what happened to the Land of Opportunity" Wake up: the American Dream is over | World news | The Observer

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q[/ame]

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Today unfortunately all too often, the American system rewards vice and punishes virtue.
This is done on many levels.
Working hard, paying your debts faithfully, living within your means, saving money for the future etc. etc. is great. But unfortunately in today's system - you will find all those who did none of these things - got many of the same things you worked for - but got it on your dime.

That's what the failures always say. "The game is rigged!!!"

Meanwhile, millions of law abiding Americans prosper

I am showing my post here again - since obviously yuo had to have misread it.

 

[sangha]

Today unfortunately all too often, the American system rewards vice and punishes virtue.
This is done on many levels.
Working hard, paying your debts faithfully, living within your means, saving money for the future etc. etc. is great. But unfortunately in today's system - you will find all those who did none of these things - got many of the same things you worked for - but got it on your dime.

That's what the failures always say. "The game is rigged!!!"

Meanwhile, millions of law abiding Americans prosper

I am showing my post here again - since obviously yuo had to have misread it.

Like I said, that's what the failures always say. Just like all those convicts in prison who swear they're innocent

 

[Cecilie1200]

You shouldn't have. She's completely wrong

The American Drea, has NEVER been "INDIVIDUALS can accomplish anything they want"

The American Dream is "Obey the law, work hard, and you'll be able to get a job that can support you and your family, and a house with a picket fence, 2 cars in the garage, and a chicken in every pot"

IOW, the American Dream is not about being wealthy, or flying to the moon - it's about attaining a middle class level of financial security.

I disagree wholeheartedly with your desire to narrowly define for everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to.

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""
American Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(I know I don't usually approve of Wikipedia, but I know most of this board seems to think it's gospel written by the finger of God, so . . . )

What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream?

Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.

Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Is this your American Dream?
What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is DEFINITELY that individuals can aspire to whatever they want, and accomplish as much as their talent, effort, and luck will let them.

Operative words:

In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

Like that happens.

So people shouldn't aspire to an ideal simply because perfection never happens?

 

[sangha]

I disagree wholeheartedly with your desire to narrowly define for everyone else what they can dream about and aspire to.

"The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""
American Dream - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(I know I don't usually approve of Wikipedia, but I know most of this board seems to think it's gospel written by the finger of God, so . . . )

What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

Were homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find happiness and their piece of land in the unknown wilderness pursuing these inalienable Rights? Were the immigrants who came to the United States looking for their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their Dream? And what did the desire of the veteran of World War II - to settle down, to have a home, a car and a family - tell us about this evolving Dream? Is the American Dream attainable by all Americans? Would Martin Luther King feel his Dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his Dream?

Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.

Thomas Wolfe said, "…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity ….the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."

Is this your American Dream?
What is the American Dream?

The American Dream is DEFINITELY that individuals can aspire to whatever they want, and accomplish as much as their talent, effort, and luck will let them.

Operative words:

In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

Like that happens.

So people shouldn't aspire to an ideal simply because perfection never happens?

If wingnuts didn't lie, they'd have nothing to say

Maggie didn't say anything like that. Why don't you respond to what you she actually said?

The American Dream is NOT "people can accomplish whatever they want"
The American Dream is NOT "people can dream of whatever they want"
The American Dream is NOT "people can aspire to an ideal"

The AD is the idea that if you work hard, and play by the rules, you will be rewarded with a middle class life.