What does the American Dream mean to you? Do you think it is attainable?

Answer 1

Work hard to achieve what you want.

Of course it is attainable.

If you go after what you want and don't let anything stop you, success is yours.

If you expect your quest to be fair or easy, or expect someone to help you, you will fail.

Answer 2

At the end of ww2, the American dream was to get a job, that you could count on retiring from, get married, have a few kids and buy a home.
Since then the major corp. have closed out & moved to China and other Pacfic rim countries. They have destroyed middle income jobs. The government pays lip service to keeping Mexicans out, when the truth is they want them here to do what jobs are left@ 1/2 the rate of an American worker.Trade Unions are a Thing of the past.
This plays into the hands of the wealthy & sadly in the USA, there are only the 2 parties. The Rich(Dem.) & Richer,(Rep). who both play into the hands of the WTO.
Sadly the working class, the poor, the marginalized have no representation in Washington.
Very sadly today the American dream consist of both parents working, if lucky enough to have jobs . And if you are lucky enough to get a job, you can expect to change jobs at least 3 times during your lifetime. Or you could win "The American Idol" or some other equally elusive dream. Then there is the Lotteries. Maybe, who are we kidding. Now lets see, we are going to have a lot of unemployed young people, What shall we do with them. "Be The Best You Can BE!!", join the forces and when they send you to enslave some poor country , they can always say: Hey man, you volunteered. God help America.

Answer 3

To me, the American Dream is that there are tons of opportunities to succeed in life. But there is no guarantee of success. That success comes thru dilligence, hard work, smarts, potentially a little help from others, and yes, a bit of luck.
That dream doesn't necessarily mean one gets filthy rich-- Rather its than one can attain some level in the range from a decent living, good living conditions and some luxuries to being well off in many aspects of life.

It certainly is attainable-- look at the all the people that do live the American Dream. They come from all kinds of social, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Now, compare what we can do in the USA to many other countries and political enviornments. And, also look at how well some immigrants do once they go from a repressive environment with little opportunity, to a place with alot of opportunity.

People who say it doesn't exist tend to be whiney, "pitty me" types that expect hand-outs or given opportunity on a silver platter. Just becuase things are tough, it doesn't mean the dream is not attainable.

Dr. O-- maybe you should go live in Eastern Europe, or Asian Subcontinent, or parts of S. America, much of Africa, or how about Cuba.

Answer 4

I agree with Dr. O and am going to take it a bit further. The "American Dream" is a farce. It was a slogan used to get people to emigrate to the United States so capitalists could take advantage of them and allow the capitalist to gain more wealth thereby increasing the gap between the working class and the capitalist. It is unattainable because it is not true. Everyone would like to think the American Dream is owning a home and all that. I own a home and still do not feel i have found this so called Dream. I am/was a teacher who was part of a reducation in force due to lack of funding (translation, I was due to be tenured by my district so they cut me and many others loose) and have been unable to find another job because every district in this region wants me to spend money to have transcripts and credentials sent. To me, the only credential they need is my teaching license from the state. You have to go through the ringer just to get one. Unfortunately, districts have policies that basically say this license, although required, is not good enough to prove you have the degree to teach. So, my family and I struggle because my only experience is as a teacher and it is seeming like it means nothing to be a teacher anymore. I refuse to do sales because the opportunity to make money may be great but I do wish to live the feast or famine life.
If the American Dream is to work and be comfortable but no one will hire you because you do not have experience and not one will hire you to give you experience, where is that dream now?
We struggle to keep our home and to keep food on the table and are constantly told we are ineligible for any assitance (including help paying for day care so I can go work for a peons wage which would not pay for day care).

So, where is this American Dream for those of us who are hard workers but are never given an opportunity?

Answer 5

American Dream... money, success.

For me, I'm not trying to achieve the American dream. I'm just living my life to the best I can, whether that brings me to it or not, who knows.

It surely is attainable though you have to be lucky and have the right opportunities.

Hard work alone cannot get you that, unfortunately.

Hard work plus luck and opportunity, that will bring you all the way.

Answer 6

It was never achievable for almost 80% of Americans and it will never be.This is actually just a slogan put forward by Capitalists and Politicians.Nothing more nothing less.

Answer 7

only to those who work hard.