The Freedom of Choice Vol. III: “The American Dream”
January 16th 2011 12:27
Long before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a Dream” speech to a nation in turmoil and Susan B. Anthony worked with Congress in the interests of advancing opportunities for women of every race, political affiliation and national origin; a group of men from different walks of life came together for the common purpose of creating a nation that gave each and every citizen the gift of choice.
The choice that comes with freedom of religion.
The choice that comes with having the ability to have a say in who represents their interests at the local level, on Capitol Hill and in the Oval Office.
Choice that comes with the availability of opportunities for future generations.
The dream of our forefathers was simple in theory.
The simplicity that comes with the idea of a nation that gives each and every citizen the same opportunities to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness no matter what part of the nation they were born in, societal status of parents or the amount of money that is waiting for them in a trust fund.
The forefathers of the United States of America approached the conversation of how to build a more imperfect union with all the baggage that comes with bad circumstances.
The bad circumstances of being forced to worship national religions, opportunities being given to people who weren’t the best person for the job because of birth right and a disconnect to government actions on their daily lives because of aristocracies that ruled on the principles of power, might and divine right.
From these circumstances the idea of the “American Dream” was born and the words contained in the Constitution and Bill of Rights became a public rallying cry that stretched across the globe to touch the hearts of millions.
Hearts caught in the turmoil of poverty, famine and political upheaval in their nations of birth that forced them to make the decision to travel across oceans and continents to what they imagined as a land with streets paved with gold to represent the opportunities that stood before them.
Opportunities that would reward hard work and perseverance with the fruits of success for themselves, their children and future generations.
While the cynic may find joy in contrasting these dreams with the harsh reality that some of these immigrants faced; it is a tougher task to form a larger conversation about the sacrifices these men women and children made for the simplicity of having a better set of choices.
In modern conversation, the ideals set forth by the founders are still relevant but the dangers that come with the rewards of progress have now taken center stage.
Center stage, where the idea of a more imperfect union that levels the playing field for every American citizen has taken a back seat to modern circumstances that take away opportunities for some before they have a chance to know they were in the game.
As much as the story of the underdog scratching and clawing from his or her adversity is embraced on the cinema screen and folklore; the realities of the situation in our public school system and “take no prisoners” mentality of modern society is causing a disconnect with the realities of our circumstances.
In a fight for survival, generations are being lost in a rat race to keep up with the modern vision of the "American Dream" that is more about reaching the end game with Millions of dollars in the bank rather than the idea of working to reach a destination.
The idea of working to have something of our own and pass it on to the next generation has been replaced with the hustle, quick buck and gain at all costs mentality that is reflective in the big money atmosphere of political campaigns, influence of corporations on public policy and failed prioritization for the things that should be at the forefront of conversation.
A conversation about how society forgot that the success of future generations was more important than stuffing our pockets with debts that will never be able to be paid back.
While the forefathers may have had a simple vision of everything the “American Dream” should be it has been and will always be up to the people of the United States of America to maintain its principles and build on it by shaping it to whatever modern circumstances call for.
At one point and time it was about home ownership, building a family and leaving something for our children but as society has evolved so has this dream.
How we view the dream is an individual decision but our actions as a society play a large part in how the dream is available for others in the present and the future.
Any conversation about the “American Dream” should not be reduced to one voice or view point. Please leave your comments about how you view the American dream on this blog to help move this conversation forward.
Please also click the vote button and the featured ads for this and other blogs on www.politicsandculture.net to show your support for the cause that isn’t about finding a place where everyone can agree on issues but is about finding a place where everyone can join the conversation and have their voice heard.
Comments for discussion are always encouraged and welcome.
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The choice that comes with freedom of religion.
The choice that comes with having the ability to have a say in who represents their interests at the local level, on Capitol Hill and in the Oval Office.
Choice that comes with the availability of opportunities for future generations.
The dream of our forefathers was simple in theory.
The simplicity that comes with the idea of a nation that gives each and every citizen the same opportunities to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness no matter what part of the nation they were born in, societal status of parents or the amount of money that is waiting for them in a trust fund.
The forefathers of the United States of America approached the conversation of how to build a more imperfect union with all the baggage that comes with bad circumstances.
The bad circumstances of being forced to worship national religions, opportunities being given to people who weren’t the best person for the job because of birth right and a disconnect to government actions on their daily lives because of aristocracies that ruled on the principles of power, might and divine right.
From these circumstances the idea of the “American Dream” was born and the words contained in the Constitution and Bill of Rights became a public rallying cry that stretched across the globe to touch the hearts of millions.
Hearts caught in the turmoil of poverty, famine and political upheaval in their nations of birth that forced them to make the decision to travel across oceans and continents to what they imagined as a land with streets paved with gold to represent the opportunities that stood before them.
Opportunities that would reward hard work and perseverance with the fruits of success for themselves, their children and future generations.
While the cynic may find joy in contrasting these dreams with the harsh reality that some of these immigrants faced; it is a tougher task to form a larger conversation about the sacrifices these men women and children made for the simplicity of having a better set of choices.
In modern conversation, the ideals set forth by the founders are still relevant but the dangers that come with the rewards of progress have now taken center stage.
Center stage, where the idea of a more imperfect union that levels the playing field for every American citizen has taken a back seat to modern circumstances that take away opportunities for some before they have a chance to know they were in the game.
As much as the story of the underdog scratching and clawing from his or her adversity is embraced on the cinema screen and folklore; the realities of the situation in our public school system and “take no prisoners” mentality of modern society is causing a disconnect with the realities of our circumstances.
In a fight for survival, generations are being lost in a rat race to keep up with the modern vision of the "American Dream" that is more about reaching the end game with Millions of dollars in the bank rather than the idea of working to reach a destination.
The idea of working to have something of our own and pass it on to the next generation has been replaced with the hustle, quick buck and gain at all costs mentality that is reflective in the big money atmosphere of political campaigns, influence of corporations on public policy and failed prioritization for the things that should be at the forefront of conversation.
A conversation about how society forgot that the success of future generations was more important than stuffing our pockets with debts that will never be able to be paid back.
While the forefathers may have had a simple vision of everything the “American Dream” should be it has been and will always be up to the people of the United States of America to maintain its principles and build on it by shaping it to whatever modern circumstances call for.
At one point and time it was about home ownership, building a family and leaving something for our children but as society has evolved so has this dream.
How we view the dream is an individual decision but our actions as a society play a large part in how the dream is available for others in the present and the future.
Any conversation about the “American Dream” should not be reduced to one voice or view point. Please leave your comments about how you view the American dream on this blog to help move this conversation forward.
Please also click the vote button and the featured ads for this and other blogs on www.politicsandculture.net to show your support for the cause that isn’t about finding a place where everyone can agree on issues but is about finding a place where everyone can join the conversation and have their voice heard.
Comments for discussion are always encouraged and welcome.
Follow Me on Youtube
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