The American Dream

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 14 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	14 Mar 2002
I have heard 'The American Dream' mentioned quite alot recently, but what on Earth is it exactly?! Kiama

Diana	14 Mar 2002
The American Dream is a concept or an ideal of equality, freedom, and material prosperity. It dates back to when people flocked to the "New World" from all over Europe with the dream of a brand new and prosperous life.

Malachite	14 Mar 2002
Often used in an ironic sense.

purplelady	14 Mar 2002
The American Dream..................I think it's when "dad" has a good job , and "mom" stays home and bakes apple pie. Little Junoir and Suzie play in the backyard . And they definitely have a nice house with a white picket fence. Dad works all his life at one job , and the company appreciates and rewards his loyalty. Grandma and Grandpa come over for the holidays and they're all one big happy family.

Geenius at Wrok	15 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana The American Dream is a concept or an ideal of equality, freedom, and material prosperity. That's what it is for the immigrants who come to America, anyway. For the folks who've already been here a couple of generations, it's generally pared down to just the material prosperity part—more specifically, material prosperity equal to or greater than that of one's neighbors. Crucial elements include the infeasibly large house, the improbably large car and the inexcusably long commute.

Diana	15 Mar 2002
Geenius at Wrok: yes, I reckon that's what it boils down to for a lot of people in the States. However, that dream, that ideal, remains strong in people's mind all over the world. I really think it's more a concept than a reality, and for many people in the world, only America can offer the possibility of this dream, even if realising it is another piece of cake.

Pollux	15 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Diana Geenius at Wrok: yes, I reckon that's what it boils down to for a lot of people in the States. However, that dream, that ideal, remains strong in people's mind all over the world. I really think it's more a concept than a reality, and for many people in the world, only America can offer the possibility of this dream, even if realising it is another piece of cake. I am a bit sceptic about this... I would never go to US - New Zealand or Australia forst, sure... And I also know some Americans who enjoy the Italian way much better! :-P And I am so proud of my city and country, even though it is often talked of for bad things, and recently our Prime Idi... Minister (How I abh... dislike him!) is just making an ass of himself and my whole country as well in the International Community. I pretty feel alike to this dream, even though I never dreamt of calling it "American" - despite the existence of the expression. I really can't associate the two things... Maybe this is too hard and "definite" a stance some people may be hurt... but, fellows, this is just me, ok? :) To me that is the dream of the Aquarian Era, it is part of my Comunist (OHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!) ideology, or it may also be considered as part of my Wiccan vocation... nothing to do with a specific country.

Diana	15 Mar 2002
Pollux, when I said "in people's minds all over the world", perhaps I should have specified "except in those few privileged rich Western democratic states". The majority of the people on this planet live in underdeveloped countries, a majority of this majority have tyrannical and corrupt regimes governing them, there is a lack of education, food, water, medical care, and a decent political system where they have some say in the matter. I could go on and on, but I think that would be pretty depressing. And I can assure you, that for many of these people, (rightly or wrongly, but this is not the issue here), America symbolises freedom, riches and limitless possibilities. The American Dream may be an illusion, but isn't that what a lot of dreams are all about?

truthsayer	15 Mar 2002
i think to many the american dream represents the hope of going to a new place and become more than one hoped of where one lived before. if you were a begger in X country, you can work hard in america and become a millionaire. it doesn't matter who you are. one of the most famous works of fiction about the american dream and it's demise is "the great gatsby" by f. scot fitzgerald. on the surface it's a simple story but symbollically it is full of meaning. fitzgerald used imagery from t.s. elliot's poem,"the wasteland" to describe how the industrialization of america was destroying her. if you are into literature, you should read it. i think ppl in other countries don't understand that the america shown on TV is not the way it really is. we aren't all rich. there are many american who live in poverty, malnutrition, and on the streets. there are selfish americans who are threatened by the idea of sharing the american dream w/ other americans--much less immigrants from other countries. i love america and consider myself american thru and thru. however, that doesn't mean i love everything i know goes on here. i hate the political corruption and the materialism i see. there are places here that that conditions are just as bad as some third world countries. i know. i've been to the homes of some of these ppl. everyone here doesn't have indoor toilets or running water or electricity. our medical facilities are among the best on earth but ppl are still dying from preventable or curable diseases. everyone can't afford the medical insurance involved in our capitalistic system of medicine. not everyone is eligible for social programs that help the poor and working poor survive. i know there are pros and cons to socialized medicine but i do hate some of the things i've seen w/ the capitalistic one. :'( but that's okay b/c i do volunteer helping the working poor get medical treatment. since i'm not happy w/ everything i see, i try to involve myself in activities that will make america a better place. i vote to participate in the democratic process and have my say about who is in office. i donate money to charity and volunteer time to help others in need. as a woman, i know that i wouldn't have freedom to make choices for myself in some other countries. i can dress as i please, work, get an education, remain childless, drive and choose my religion and my husband doesn't have to give me permission to do any of these things!!(i also got to choose him!) i am truly grateful for my freedom of speech and chance that i can to improve my life and myself no matter what my race, creed, sex, nationality or religion. i'm grateful that i can also help others improve their station in life.

amyel	15 Mar 2002
I started out life as an American but have spent my entire adult life in Canada and am now a naturalized Canadian - I am, in fact, a dual citizen of the US & Canada. Living in another country - apart from any commentary one wants to make about how "American" Canada is - has forced me to see my birth country in another light. It isn't always pretty. I spent all my primary & secondary school years in the US and my college years in Canada. Talk about a contrast! It saddens me to see and hear how quick folk from other countries - even Canada - verbally abuse the US and all it stands for. There are lots of not-so-nice things about the US - but the same thing can be said about every other country in the world. It is easy to point the finger at the US and accuse it of being full of materialistic racsists, but I can assure you, one has to go no further then a large city like Toronto to see the same thing. (This is not a T.O. slam, so don't get on my case about it - it is just used to illustrate a point). I remember going to a Midnight Oils concert in Calgary when I was in uni, and as the intro to their song "US Forces", the lead singer started ranting about the US gov't. Problem is, the audience - all young Canadians in what has to be the most Americanized city in Canada (thanks to oil) started to really get riled up. My friend and I - another dual US/Canadian citizen - were starting to feel very uncomfortable. And Peter Garrett- the lead singer - stopped the buzz cold and said this: "Don't confuse US politics with US citizens". It was probably the first time I had ever heard a anti-American rant separate the two. But let's face it - the "American Dream" is alive and well. It isn't a dream for only immigrants to the US - it is a dream most American children are raised on: "Yes, little Johnny/Susie, when you grow up, you too could be president". It is the democratic idealization, the belief that one can improve ones lot in life. Of course, the US is not the only country where one can achieve this dream, but the US is the one which has "marketed" this belief more then any other country, with the possible exception of Australia. For any who doubt that final statement, read some Australian history. That's all from my soapbox...:)

The The American Dream thread was originally posted on 14 Mar 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.