The American Dream Dead, Alive Or On Hold - 872 Words

The Dream Itself Many years ago today, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. It established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, it is true that people have liberties and are free to pursue happiness. However, in recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment, growing economy inequality, and medical care have skyrocketed. Despite the odds, the American Dream is still a goal that many people strive for and hope to reach. In fact, an essay written by Brandon King, The American Dream: Dead, Alive or on Hold? He says, â€Å"the American dream is a dream in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with the opportunity for each according to his/her ability and achievement†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (King 610-611). Therefore, the problem with the American Dream lies not within the dream itself, but within the means people pursue to attain this dream. In America our entire society is based on money. People who are respected are generally those who are the richest, because of this, the American Dream is sufficiently associated with money. For instance, this country indirectly tells the poor and oppressed that hard work and determination, in the land of free, will lead directly to success and happiness. Remember, the saying, â€Å"money can’t buy you happiness†. It is this general belief that most American citizens believe they all have an equalShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?1104 Words   |  5 Pagesworks, The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?, debates his interpretation of the notion of the American Dream and whether the concept is dead, alive, or on hold. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the common phrase is still alive within America and that one must work hard in order to achieve it. When it comes to the topic of the American Dream, King will eagerly agree that the idea is still alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; however, I deem that the idea is on hold within AmericanRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?916 Words   |  4 PagesThe concept of the American Dream has been with us as long as we have been a nation. In Brandon Kings â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?† he presents us with his version of the American dream. According to Kings, the American dream is defined as â€Å"The potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future† (611). The American dream may differ between every individual and how they perceive it. To some, the American dream is to have a decent job and to be financiallyRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold? Essay1940 Words   |  8 PagesIn the essays â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† by Brandon King and â€Å"Confronting Inequality† by Paul Krugman, the authors discuss a wide v ariety of ideas that affect or maintain the idea of income inequality in America today. In the essay by Brandon King, he clearly states that the values of the American Dream are still alive today, but are getting harder and harder to achieve for the average person. King argues that the American Dream of today has drastically changed from what it usedRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?1430 Words   |  6 PagesUnited States has a dream, or better yet known as the American Dream. What is the American Dream? Well, Brandon King, author of â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† quoted James Truslow Adams, who wrote that the American Dream â€Å"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 and achievement, regardless of coral class or circumstances of birth†(610). Everyone’s American Dreams are all different, butRead MoreThe American Dream : D ead, Alive, Or On Hold? Essay1034 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream The United States is often referred to as a melting pot, and for good reason. America consists of a diverse mix of race, religion, and cultures. Immigrants have been coming to America for decades. They are in search of a better life and living the American dream. The American dream and what it represents has many different interpretations. However, most can agree that the American dream resembles a life of freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. Many Americans associate significantRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold By Brandon King953 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream The American Dream is one of those terms that people refer to when talking about immigration, financial status, and so much more. But what does the term really refer to? People used to think of the American Dream as financial prosperity, religious and financial freedom, and all around success. Now, the term may mean something similar, but people are much less focused on it. If anything, the American Dream today is focused on gaining material goods and proving your bank accountRead MoreAnalysis Of The American Dream1063 Words   |  5 Pagesthe American Dream? Is it home ownership, gaining fame or wealth, having a great family or is it gaining a peace of mind? Many people have different versions of what the American Dream is, some people believe the dream is lost, and some people are right in the middle and still believe the American Dream is still alive. â€Å"The American Dream† by Brandon King debates about what the true state is left in the American Dream now. Throughout the essay, King asks if the American Dream is dead, alive, on holdRead MoreHow Hard Will You Work For The American Dream959 Words   |  4 Pageswork for the american dream The issue of whether or not the american dream is dead, alive, or on hold has become very important lately to the working class american. with trillions of dollars lost in the stock market crash and high unemployment rates.There is a nation wide panic on whether or not we can as a country bounce back. In fact in the article â€Å"The American Dream; dead, alive, or on hold.† King claims that the ideas of the so called â€Å"American Dream† are still very much alive. (King pg2 p1)Read MoreA More Perfect Union : The American Dream Essay1270 Words   |  6 PagesOn eighteen century America, the founding fathers classified the American Dream as an idea that everyone living in the United Stated had the chance to achieve the Jeffersonian idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At the time the American Dream was supposedly possible to anyone who had the willingness to work hard and honestly. To the founding father s anyone who would stand by this saying would ei ther achieve success or be emulated for their efforts, even those who did not achieveRead MoreAmerica s The American Dream1277 Words   |  6 Pagesinterpretations of what the American dream is, but we all can agree that it is a concept that provides us with the hope for a better life. It is a dream of experiencing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To some people, the American dream is about being wealthy, practicing liberty, to believe in any religion, and to have better opportunities in life. Throughout history, many immigrants have migrated to America because they want to begin a new life and achieve the American Dream. Many can debate