The American Dream, and what it's become.
81The American Dream- Casting Crowns
Seen through my experiences in life....(part one)
The air was warming, the ground damp of the exiting snow, in smalltown western New York. The remains of the blizzard were scattered, yet the song of the bird could be heard. The trees were lifting their arms to the sun, the bee's were starting to buzz. Spring had sprung and my life had just begun. That day was April fools day, 1977. This day was the greatest day in the history of mankind! It was the day I joined the world. The first time my cries were heard, the first time I took a breath, the first time I saw the light. There would be many a first to add to the list, but not a one that could compare. The only day I can imagine being even close to that will be the day I leave this place. I guess because on that April Fools Day I knew of absolutely nothing, and when I leave this earth I will head somewhere I know nothing of.
As the years trickled by, as time seems to do when you're young, I began walking and talking, feeding and dressing myself. Small miracles man takes for granted. I was running and jumping and playing for fun. I was tripping and falling and yelling for mom. I started reading and writing and thinking stuff. Thanks to my parents preparing for that big yellow bus. They gave me that little loving head start we all need in preparing for school. That vast place of windows, of doors and of brick. What impressed me the most after leaving the bus was all the other people of my size and such. I have to admit the intimidation was great, regardless of that I just couldn't wait. The knowledge thats there, seemed so much to learn. Some of it even could not have been worse. I grew to like school. Enjoyed the opportunity to learn. I was always good at school and for some time it would last. My report cards were A's with an occassional B. My parents seemed proud and I was proud of myself. I made it through with a high school diploma to prove it. In that last year of puplic school changes in me were beginning to take purpose.
I was 18 years old and like most my friends, we were looking forward to the American Dream ! It was the mid-1990's, the world was progressing at an unusual pace. I began to notice the speed was no longer of that once trickled by pace. Technology was improving like never before. The world now seemed different than what I remembered it as. The world wasn't all I pictured it would be.So there it was, my life, my future, my American Dream. I could make my life anything I wanted it to be. The choices were mine. The consequences were mine. I lived in the land of the free! I'm thirty three now and still there searching for that dream. Where could it be. I get it now, its just a dream.
Little did I know where I was growing up, everything I was learning in school, the tiny corner of the world got my life experience from, didn't even come close to what the world was becoming. There was war, but there has been throughout the history of man. There was peace, but it was scattered through time and individual beliefs. There was politics, religion, cultures and more. There was rich and the poor. There's the white collars the blue collars, there's black and white. There's destruction, construction, there's wrong and there's right. How 'bout doubt, despair, depression and plight. Don't forget hope and morals, ethics and faith. Catholics, Muslims, Buddists and Jews. Athiests, and agnostics, too many cults to choose. There's home-cooked, or fast-food, fresh food and mass produced. There's cancer and Aids, diabetes, the flu. There's medicine or herbs, and numerous cures. There's drugs at the pharmacy, the streets too, for sure. Music and painting and poems for escape. Radio and television with its' goods and its' bads. There's plastic or paper, or bring your own if you choose. Organic and man-made, so much food on our plates. There's money, and banks, the stock market and more. Insurance, casino's, and lottery stores. We got water in bottles and soda pop too, in a thousand different flavors. Which one for you? TV and internet, MP3's, home phone or cell phones, i-pods, and lap tops and much much more. The world and living in it has never been simple, each generation has its' ups and downs, its' gains and its' losses. None though has had as much change whats occurred in the past 20 years. The world is moving too fast to catch that dream I was raised to persue. Maybe its me, I might be too slow. I hope its the story of the hare and the tortoise being told! I'm afraid of the future. I think I have good reason.
Our country isn't what it was designed to be. Our founding fathers built America around freedom, democracy, checks and balances and equal opportunity. Since then Americans, and those who wanted to be Americans have lived and fought, and worked hard for their American Dream. America is America because of the will of people throughout history wanting opportunities better than what they were raised to see. Somehow now that dream has changed, has morphed into something it was never meant to be. The idea of the dream has been used against the "everyman" by the greedy, selfish, corporations who have gone far beyond achieving the dream. They did this on the backs of many. They blinded us with everything they made us think that we need. They've drowned out any movements that stood in their face. They used our American Dream to keep us in place. Since the beginning of time there's been the few who command power over the masses which lead "our fathers" into taking back the power from those few.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL!"
.....................................to be continued!
- The American Dream ....a point of view
The American Dream, and what it's become. The air was warming, the ground damp of the exiting snow, in smalltown western New York. The remains of the blizzard were scattered, yet the song of the bird could be...
....what can be done about it?
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What is the "American Dream" becoming?
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I suppose I should have said "around THE IDEA of freedom....",but no doubt you are correct. The world was different place back then. Their intentions of what they wished it to become, I believe, were genuine in regards to the writing of the original form of the constitution. There are citizens today in America who have no protection of "the rights they do have." Yes we do have to work at it, maybe now more than ever before in history! All the best to you as well.
In America, you have the OPPORTUNITY to succeed or fail. If you fail at your American dream, you can pick yourself up by the bootstraps and try it again. That's good old capitalism and that's what this country was born on and built on. We all have tough times in our lives. How you handle it is up to you. The gov't needs to get the hell out of our business, let the private sector create jobs. But that is not Obama's intention. It is the intention of this whitehouse to make us a socialist/marxist/communist country in which case, you can go ahead and give up on that American dream because the likeliness of any opportunity will be dashed by the gov't.
Mr. Happy must have forgotten the holocaust, or the hundreds of thousands of white slaves throughout european history. Everybody's got a story. You can either believe in big gov't and lose your freedoms or you can believe in yourself, the American people and small gov't.
Mr. Pcoach, we were talking about North America and what it was built on. Please stay on topic to be able to have any constructive discussion. The "white slaves through european history" are irrelevant in our conversation and so is the holocaust. It is true that everyone has a story and the story for the creation of the United States is a dark one, built on Native blood and land with the help of African-American slaves.
Hi Jeremey, sorry that I am not addressing you first, but Mr. Happy needs to pay attention to his own words before he decides to duck a question by another hubber. Mr. Happy said;
“That's a lovely myth my friend. America was built on Native land and through a genocide as the world has never ever seen. America was also built on the backs of many slaves and women did not take part in much - they had no rights.”
Mr. Happy it was you that brought the whole world into the picture with your comment, so Pcoach is therefore attaching a question to your prognosis. You took what Jeremey said and decided to plunge deeper beyond the inventory he built up with the development of an American Dream, something the whole world recognizes. You are not wrong in bringing up the horrible fate of Native Indians. Pcoach is merely challenging your assessment that the fate of Native Indians is in your words “world has never seen.” The plight of the Indians is well documented and still very visible in America. It doesn’t matter if you follow or believe that America was founded to be a free country with fatal flaws, those principals carry over into the many wars Jeremey speaks of, including stopping Nazi Germany and totalitarian Japan in the 1940’s. You may find that irrelevant to you, but it is in line with the story written by the author.
Jeremey, I do not need to tell you that this WORLD is fallen. Man can only go so far beholden to himself. Your own struggles with this life of yours is frustrating and you are in want. Hard work, time, making the right friends and God’s grace doesn’t insure you of success. God’s grace is for your salvation, righteous living is to be a lamp upon a dark path. Hard work has to be your own philosophy if you want to build you a home. The American dream has been corrupted by greed of those in want of ‘Total’ power. You can not lay it squarely at the feet of corporations Jeremey. While I probably am the living antithesis of Mr. Happy, he illustrates a fine point by bringing up the cattle call given to Natives. These Natives were rounded up by a government reacting to the needs and wants of the European people, regular citizens, not Rockefellers or Carnegies, they weren’t monopolizing yet…Corporations lobby government officials, officials in turn want power and campaign money. Jeremey, remove the corporations if you want, Cuba is a hell hole, dictator’s make the rules, rules are set forth by men pretending to play God. It is man Jeremey, man is the root. We are beautiful monsters, loving demons, and corrupt providers. Keep fighting the good fight, do not talk yourself into a corner by always blaming greedy business owners, you need to find a way to earn a living from these bastards…
God bless friend.
Thank you Manning, point well taken. I am just all too frustated with struggling. I've been a bottom feeder my whole life, from my first job to my present job. I just need to find the first rung on the ladder to pull myself up. It seems impossible at times to better my situation in life when every corner I turn has a wall, pay the toll and you may pass. I pay the toll get through the wall only to be taxed. Now again I'm broke, given all the "cash" I had and shipped back to the other side of the wall because I can't afford to proceed. .....and to pcoach, the first paragraph of your comment is only a part of my intended point.Notice the...."to be continued". With what I had started, suggests many ways in which to go, whether it be back in history for reference of what was, and may always be... or look to the present to see how the past has been "twisted" to cloud most every mans decided opinion. (and back to Manning) ... you ultimately place the blame on man and his "corrupt provider" ways. I in no way doubt that, as man (or men), ultimately "run" the corporations. Corporations by laws and policies are termed as "citizens" therefor giving them no more or no less freedom than I myself have. The difference is they have the money to "loophole" thier way to their goals, I must rise to my goals with nothing more than the pennies that trickle down where ever they see fit. These corporate men live the American Dream in a manner that 100,000 men of my "economic status" could live the same dream.
Jeremy, the best example of how out of touch the corporate maggots are is when they showed-up in Washington to ask for a bail-out, each one exiting their personal planes. I thought about that after reading your last sentence.
Mr. Jason after World War II, the Native American population was at eight hundred thousand ... from sixty million. So no this genocide is not comparable with any other genocide the world has ever seen in the amount of people that were killed-off. And if "man is the root" of this problem then, men shall solve it.
Mr. Happy, a thanks to you. The last sentence in the comment above was very well put! man is the root, man should solve it.Sweet and to the point. "Write on, right on, write on!"(I should copyright that little phrase, I really like it, looks just as good written as it does when I say it aloud!)
Gentlemen, man has been upon this earth for quite some time now, he is no closer to any Utopian fantasy tomorrow then he was outside of the garden. Mature minds must take into account the way things are now, and where they are headed. Change of any kind, when it comes, takes many generations to morph. We maybe long gone before the next dramatic occurrence happens, how will you account for your actions in this life? If you believe in nothing, your life is less than chicken scratch in the span of time. You have lived for naught. I make no overtures at being a footnote in the history books, but I need not worry for such folly. I live looking for a place better than this, a place where justice will be served and faith rewarded. If I am wrong, then I at least tried to make a place better for my children, if you are wrong…well.
Seems to me all Americans, whether you be Native American, African American, Vietnamese American, German American, Russian American, we are all Americans. A "melting pot" it was intended to be and a melting pot it is. For reasons racist democrats would know, we are not mixing together in the pot like we had hoped.
Regardless, Mr. Manning said it best when he said "if you believe in nothing, your life is less than chicken scratch in the span of time." Jeremey, have faith that you can and will find your way in this life. It won't be easy. It never is. But if you wrap your heart around some hope, hold onto it like a lifeline and don't give it up. Stopping blaming everyone. Own what you have made of your life and let your life experience make you a better man for having it. Don't be regretful. Be hopeful and persevere. The best to you.
Pcoach I appreciate your encouraging comment other than you saying "stop blaming everyone" I haven't any where placed blame on any one, other than myself, I place blame on a system that doesn't function in a justifiable way for the poor. Many many people have it way worse off than myself. As bad as it is for me, I can only begin to imagine their struggles.
Jeremy: There is both rhymne and reason to the thoughts you've expressed, poetically, I might add. Thanks for the follow and I am following you back. Your words ring true; like the liberty bell, silent for too long. Slainte
Thank you sligo. I'm a newbie here and set a goal to get 10 basic hubs on what interests me, hunt down a few worthy hubbers to follow, merely as a learning experience. I Intend now to slow down a bit, learn from reading hubs such as your own, walk myself through the learning process in hopes of improving my writings and spreading my voice. I hope you enjoy watching me grow as a "hubber", and a "writer"!Will be reading you soon, so write on, right on write on!.............and thanks again!
The American Dream has been chosen by the Hubnuggets Team. :) Wow!
Check out your nomination and vote: http://bit.ly/dqwPzJ
To the Hubnuggets Learning Center: http://bit.ly/aPo7TL
Participate in the Hubnuggets Forum Thread: http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/58569
Congratulations, Jeremey, on your Hubnugget Nomination. :) Welcome to Hubpages. I wish you, and your (obvious) hot topic well. Glad to have you here.
Wonderful news!!! Thank you for the nomination, I am honored! Thank you!Thank You!
Jeremy, Congratulations on your hub nugget nomination. The comments were interesting to read too. You seem to hit a nerve.
The American Dream, for each of us, is different. Sometimes, one needs to reaevaluate ones "dreams". Why dream about things that will pass away? Sure, it would be nice to have piles of money, fame and fortune. In the long run, these things too shall pass. Personally, I opt for peace. Internal peace that comes from knowing I am doing what I was put here to do. Anyway, this was a great hub. Write on....
Namaste.
Congratulations, Jeremey! Not only on your HubNugget nomination but igniting the discussion/debate about The American Dream.
Admit it, Europeans (your ancestors) took over the land from Native Indians and made dominion out of it. They are more knowledgeable in making profits with the vast lands. The Native Americans have their own history, too. Only that, we only look at the brighter side of US history; we often neglect those who first cultivated or occupied the land.
American Dream is contagious, even among Asians (Filipinos, as well).
Jeremy, you have a future in writing. If someone picks up on your writing, you might just leave the bottom rung of life. Keep up the good work!
Ladies and Gentlemen, ANDREW JACKSON AND NOT THE FOUNDERS, was responsible for the Native American debacle.
"It is better to reach for a Dream and come close than to live looking at your nighmare and die with regrets." -RMJ
Deborah and Travel man, much thanks to you both! I hope the nerve I hit will wake some more of us and help us to realize the abuses taking place on our "American Dream" by the likes of greed and the "power hungry"! ....................Thank you Ray, for the comment and for "clearing up" the Native Anerican discussion! ...and who is "RMJ", I am unfamiliar with the quote, Is it a quote from yourself by any chance?
Hhhhmmm, is the American Dream really being lost or is it just evolving by rearing up its ugly head to show what it always has been about from the beginning? In the beginning of America - lies have been told, money stolen, land taken, homes destroyed, the poor exploited, and etc.
Not the dream of the vision I was given as a child, but for some reason the harsh reality of what continues to exist among us. Hhhmmm, wouldn't it be wonderful to go back in time and find out if the story is real or if it was just the greed of a few whose action is manifesting its reaction? Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Congrats on being selected as a nominee for this week's HubNuggets Wannabe Contest. Good luck to you! :)
Interesting Hub! Keep doing the good work.
Congrats for Hubnugget Wannabe nomination !
I feel the same way. The American dream has become less of an aspiration in today's society and more of a carrot dangling on a stick for the rich to lead us around with. We accept that it is unfair because we still expect to get that carrot some day. Those holding the stick, however, just laugh at us.
The idea of rugged individualism (pull yourself up by your bootstraps) sounds nice on paper, but in practice it can't hold up. We all may be created equal, but we certainly aren't brought up equal. For example, lets say that a child of a poor family wants to go to college. His parents can't afford the tuition so he seeks out grants and loans to pay for his bills. Upon achieving a bachelor's degree he tries to find a job, only to realize that in the current economy, there are countless unemployed people with bachelor's degrees, many of which have more experience than him at any given job he applies for. So he decides to get more schooling and pulls in more debt. Now after countless years he has a slight edge over the competition, but even if he manages to find his dream job he will be paying off student loans for years to come. Maybe the argument would then be: at least he achieved his dream of getting the job. Sure, maybe that would hold up, but what about the student that had to drop out of school because they had to care for an ailing family member? What if they got sick during a semester and missed too much school to pass? How would they afford another semester? More debt, is that the answer? How is this equal to the child who grew up with parents that could afford tuition?
The whole argument for pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is an excuse to ignore the poor and suffering people that you don't want to help. Many people who oppose government programs that aid the poor (socialist programs, oh no!) claim to be religious, but did Jesus tell the sick and the poor that they had to grow a backbone and get a job?
Capitalism is built on the idea that consumers determine which product is best so if you have good products you will do well. But if a mother living on minimum wage needs childrens' cough medicine is she supposed to over-spend at a local pharmacy or go over to wal-mart where she can afford it? She has no choice; money is tight and her child needs medicine. People hide behind capitalism's definition and ignore that our country isn't holding true to that definition. We just have a dictatorship where the very rich call all the shots.
(Great hub by the way, sorry about the rant.)
Thankyou Dremer, rant away! I feel your words, I have lived your words from both sides of the gate. I haven't ever been "wealthy" but have been comfortable enough. Only to have that comfort pulled from under me because of "flaws" in the system and my continous grabbing at the carrot. Thanks much for the comment, and look forward to seeing you around "hubworld".
Jeremy,
First of all, I think this hub was written amazingly.
If I agree or disagree with the political overtone to it, I am not going to touch that one right now.
But the fact you have three kids, with the ability to raise them and love them unconditionaly, as you see fit, is a huge part of the American dream. You are still young. It will hit you one day, just how great you really have it. I have been where you are, and I can relate. Stay strong.
Thanks CMeritt, appreciate the encouraging words. My "situation" is whats led me to gain a better understanding of our economy and gov't because even 10 years ago my money went further, I was always able to find work and with little obsacles I could pick myself back up in minimal time, today it is much more of a struggle for many reasons both under and outside my control that I wish to become educated on to eneble me to follow a better path! I just worry if the "world" is becoming this much harder for me, what will my children have to face if our country continues to distort the "foundation" of what the "American Dream" of each of us is supposed to be.
Little wonder this is listed as one of your best, it's very good. You've also got a great collection of hubpages characters here to comment!
Thanks WTS, Yeah this one drew in some good comments, I like it that way, wish they'd keep coming.
Your Hub is outstanding. I can assure you that the American Dream is alive and well. 90 percent of the richest 10% of Americans were not in that category ten years ago. 90 percent of those in the bottom 10% of income ten years ago have moved up. America has the most fluid group of people, wealth-wise, in the history of the world.
I used to own a jet charter business and my customers were all wealthy. I love hearing people's stories and I am good conversationalist. I got to know most of them and learned their stories. Except for a handful, they all came up from nothing on their own. Not completely on their own: they found others who believed in what they wanted to do.
What they most had in common was an idea. And idea of some product or service other people would want. And they had the smarts, the motivation, the determination, and the discipline to see it through. You can do it.
Thanks James for the inspirational words. They are much appreciated and love the positivity. Very true regarding the fluidity of people. I imagine in that work you have met some very interesting people. Thanks again for the encouraging comment!
Mr. Happy Level 7 Commenter 19 months ago
"Our founding fathers built America around freedom, democracy, checks and balances and equal opportunity."
That's a lovely myth my friend. America was built on Native land and through a genocide as the world has never ever seen. America was also built on the backs of many slaves and women did not take part in much - they had no rights.
This does not mean we should not strive for a democratic country with a government that is responsible to the polpulation as supposed to lobbyists. It is possible but we all gotta work at it.
All the best. Good blog.