Is there an American Dream left to dream of?

Question

I have a legitimate question to ask. I ask that you read all of it before posting, and seriously consider what you write down. Please refrain form silly, and ignorant name calling, and racist comments. I'm trying to see intelligent, thoughtful, sincere answers.

A country founded on the belief that any man or woman can make it with hard work and an honest job. They say that all people who walk on it's shores are free. They welcome diversity with words, but their actions slam the door on anyone who truly tries to keep that part of them that makes them unique.

My question is...why? Why shut out anyone who comes into this country (by any means) searching for that american dream that all people yearn for when they arrive? Can we not say "yes, you may work, and live free. See what we guard so harshly, and defend so ferverently."

I ask with all sincerity, why shun those who are the new dreamers of the american dream?

Answer 1

I have no answer for that my friend. Considering the fact that this country was founded by a bunch of liberal misfits, we seem to be going backwards.

I can't speak for those who believe in shunning new immigrants seeking a better life, but I can speculate. Possibly they believe that people who come into this country are using up resources (ie government money, fuel, jobs) that could be used by people who have been here for longer.

Now you never clarified legal immigrants versus illegal immigrants. I have no problem with legal immigrants, or illegal ones for that matter. But I think some people just want to be aware of who is living and working in this country. Lots of people like the idea of Big Government watching over them, and I believe that this just goes right along with that.

As for your title question "is there still an american dream left to dream" I think so. You can still do almost anything you want in life, and there are still numerous liberties and freedoms existing, so I think that the American dream is really the ability to have an American dream, whatever you choose it to be.

But be careful, becuase I think some people's definition of American Dream is adding to this anti-immigration sentiment. Some people interpret the American dream to mean "white, Christian, born in America". So any new people coming in are deemed as a threat on "the very foundation this country was built on". It's that kinda of extreme and literal thinking that is causing all the friction.

Answer 2

because the american dream is foundationally and inheriently selfish, so 'shunning' is actually just an extension of encating the american dream. it's an "I want, I like" not a "what should I, what do they..." philosophy, etc.
Think about it.
Pride in identity too, keeps people from embracing or adopting diversity and individuality,when we all have to be what we think we are expected by 'the country' and others to be.
I in no way advocate it and I actually believe that the dream is dead. Life is not that way. Life is not good when you are so selfish and close-minded, so materialistic- it's nonsense.
Does anyone really believe it anyway? You can have a good life in other countries,often times a better one.
But simply 'the dream' is a selfish and aggressive mentality so it makes perfect sense to see what you describe!!

Add'l details:

This mentality is actually what we see in politicians, leaders, teachers, etc-- they are not capable of fully envisioning the needs of other people. People obviously dont spend time or devote energy to truly considering and thus acting on the needs of other people- rather, theuy develop excuses as to why they cannot or should not- this is in lay terms what we see as "backward thinking" and failures to act. Really, if people did truly care about what was best, what others needed, what their ambitions are etc. we could have solutions already to the problems that have been plaguing us (school for instance) yet instead are problems are getting worse.
....

Answer 3

The whole world can't acheive the American Dream. There just isn't enough space. We can't defend everyone, we can't provide everyone with jobs. It just isn't how life works.

And these people may be new dreamers for the American Dream, but have you ever consider that the reason it is called the American Dream is because its what ALL American's want. If everyone had what they wanted, the world would suck. I don't mean to be rude or ignorant. I'm totally fine with people coming here in search of a better life. But it is called the American Dream for a reason.

Answer 4

We're not "shutting out" anybody. We welcome LEGAL immigrants. As it is now, our borders are WIDE open, basically. We are MUCH more open to immigrants than ANY country in Europe, which is supposedly so "progressive." That's a laugh. Check out the European immigration laws - they are deeply racist and xenophobic.

We just want to have control over who comes into the country, or at least KNOW who's coming. Why is that a bad thing?

Love, Jack

PS: And yes, there IS an American Dream left - but it's for people who are not LOSERS, who want everything handed to them. They are the ones complaining about the USA being so "materialistic." They will not achieve the dream. How sad.

Answer 5

more than likely the government is looking at such people, and thinking " shoot, um... so they've arrived with nothing, and can't support themselves, and are going to be a giant drag on our welfare system...etc"
but looking at people in terms of financial issues is so wrong. If the people need help, give it to them. it's called a world. And the U.S. isn't the only nation, or the border a wall to keep the immence wealth that has acumlated there, in. Why not help poor immigrants to become functional members of a society they so long to join? Well, it means money will be spent- cash that would be "taken away" from those who pay the taxes.
i guess it comes down to economics vs. morals

Answer 6

1. There were no subsidized services back then and we needed more people. Both of those situations have changed, and to the extent we need people, since we DO pay for education and services, we want to pick the ones who come.

2. Only for Americans. That is why it is called the "American" dream. It referred to the life Americans hoped to earn within their own country. It was not an advertisement for immigration from other countries. They need to build the Mexican Dream, etc.

Answer 7

But, at what COST to the LEGAL American citizens???
Sure it sounds good!!!! Just let ANYONE and EVERYONE come here, is that the idea???? If we did THAT, this would NO LONGER be America!!!! If we let everyone come here that WANTED to, there would soon be NOTHING LEFT of the "American dream", for the AMERICAN people themselves!!!!!!!!!!! This country DOES welcome LEGAL immigrants!!!! Do you even realize the implications of what you are saying??? It's not that we don't want foreigners here, but we can NOT let MILLIONS of uneducated, poverty level people come here!!! They DRAIN our resources, and put a HEAVY strain on those who work, and PAY for these resources!!! Sure, if we lived in a perfect world, where there were NO diseases, crimes, and poverty, we could let everyone come,BUT the world is FAR from perfect,and it is NOT FAIR for a few to pay to support many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Yes. Universal Health care.

Answer 9

I agree with Pecarrie....The American dream is one of selfishness. Survival of the fittest. A typical Darwin theory.

So for all crying about how unfair it is, just look what we teach in schools, only the strongest survive, thats the American way....Deal with it people.

Answer 10

because alot of americans are ignorant towards other cultures, i say if you want to live int he us make an effort to learn english, thats all i ask, if i go to mexico i cant expect them to knwo my language so i learn theirs . . . .other than that i say let them in, they work harder because they have more to look forward to, yet thos eof us groiwng up in millon dollar hoems and gettign everythign they want have no desire to work because they dont realize hard work is what gets them the things they want, america has become the land of the slefish, ignorant, currupt people, and to our government we are nothign but a number, we arent individuals because we are expected to grow up in a tiny little box thats surrounded by rules and laws, i bet hobos live better than the rich!