Whether discreetly or in plain view, every United States citizen fantasizes about it: The American Dream. Build a secure, comfortable home in an isolated yet genial part of Suburbia, raise an educated and jubilant family, and attain the financial freedom to never worry about bills at the end of the month. This notion is certainly achievable in the nation's prosperous times, but what about now -- when the desires of individuals could implode the very foundation of the country?
The US Government has called upon the nation to adopt a "Buy American" doctrine in order to stimulate the country's economy, but unlike in previous situations -- like World War II for instance, when danger was in the form of a foreign invasion -- the US now faces a creeping, complicated and convoluted foe. Because the entire nation is not facing a crisis inches from immediate catastrophe, it remains hesitant to change the way its wallet is handled.
Talks have sprung over a gas tax in America in order to steer consumers away from gas guzzling cars, but how would Americans react? Saturday, a friend and I were discussing the replacement of his current malfunctioning car. When asked on about buying a hybrid to take advantage of the new tax breaks included -- Chevrolet's new Volt for example -- he explained "I don't want a hybrid car." Though somewhat stubborn, he had a valid point. The American Dream entails doing what the individual wants rather than needs; inner desires trump public necessities. Though the US Government, especially through President Obama's vociferous popularity has called for nationalism, the responsibility remains on businesses to generate a product that Americans want. Because without the psychological and monetary benefits, US citizens will continue with their own dreams until the country's time terminates.
Since the presidential election, the word "socialism" has rivaled four-letter profanities in every right-wing -- and some left-wing -- households. What makes people so disgusted? Socialism implies that citizens must make sacrifices of their own wealth and opportunity so that others may acquire the same accomplishments. Such an act negates The American Dream. But at what cost will Americans step over the threshold to humility? When will they realize that in order to keep the possibility of the dream, they must place it on hold for a few years?
Possessing the power to fulfill ambitions is a wealth far greater than money can provide, and in dire times like this, that ability teeters in existence. It is the Americans' deicision whether they want to postpone their lives in order to aid the nation that enables them, or they want to individualize until they are no longer united. So make the choice. At this point in history, which is more important -- the American citizen's endowed dream, or the United States of America?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
After all, without "America," how can there be an "American Dream?"
ReplyDeleteWhy would you buy a hybrid when you can get a turbocharged subaru?
ReplyDeleteEveryone is opposed to the word socialism but not the concept. You can see this when you ask someone about how they feel about highways, police departments, and medicare. Its a strange carry-over from the commie days.
The nature of the brand of capitalism we have is to be deeply inefficient. Products are made to satisfy a desire that no one knew that had; marketing plans are designed to get people to truely believe they need these things. The idea that laissez-faire economists hold is that businesses rise and fall based on their performance. Companies that fail to meet demands best die and new approaches are rewarded. The problem we have now is that it is impossible to endorse this view when the companies that deserve to fail are so crucial that they need to be propped up.
So the solution is either socialism or the radical destruction and rebuilding of the economy. Most people dont want to consider the second option, but they would rather not call the first socialism.
by the way, WU TANG!
ReplyDeleteA Dream Deferred
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
by Langston Hughes
The continued prosperity and growth of our nation is hinged on ambition. The man or woman who isn't striving to better their situation is floating along with the 'good enough'. And just to clear up any questions, the "American Dream" is not endowed. The only thing endowed is the opportunity to chase your dreams as far as you wish.