Does anyone else think the American Dream is a big Myth?

Question

I think for certain people, no matter what you do or how hard you work, you will not be able to reach the top in society. Like me for example, no matter what I do I'll never be able to get elected president. Most of the top CEO's have family connections. A few people can be born poor and turn into a millionaire...but in this capitalist society, there's no way that everyone can make it rich. In order for the rich to stay rich, they need to exploit the poor. Oprah is like 1 in a Billion. The rest of us are pretty much stuck in low level positions. So the American Dream is more like the American Myth right?

Answer 1

Our country, is not doing well, living up to its visions it claims to have. People at the top, like to hold on to their advantages, to the detriment of our society. A society that utilizes the best of its talent, is the healthiest society. But people who succeed in life, a lot of times get big egos, and think they and their family, is so much more worthy, and that those at the bottom, are at fault for their predicament. Some people, just don't know how lucky they have been, due to circumstances. People like to blame the weak in society for being weak, rather than blaming the strong, for not using their power to truely make a difference for these less lucky people, and help bring out their talent for the greater good of society.

Answer 2

Tell me what the American dream is and I'll give you my opinion.

Now if it's money you want, that is not the American Dream. That is the human dream.

Did you ever see an old series called "Fantasy Island" ?

I found that place. The real name is "Guatemala".
Just head south past Mexico and there you are.
A few green backs go a long way and depending where you try it you can open a business without any paper work.
Just open your door and say here I am and this is what I do or sell. You should probably say it in Spanish but even that is not always needed.
Eventually you will need some legal papers but usually not a big deal

So if you want the American Dream it is actually the Central American Dream. Come live for a while in Guatemala!
Be teacher, a tour guide, restaurant owner... all for less than a thousand dollars.
Just do it!

or not

Gypsy Priest

Answer 3

I didn't think that the traditional American Dream was to be rich. I basically thought that the American Dream was more along the lines of owning the house with the cute little white picket fence, having opportunity available to you, raising 2.5 children and having the happy family... I think of it more as the Leave it to Beaver show or even the Brady Bunch not like the Trumps or the Hilton's. In the traditional sense I think people can reach this "dream" at some level... Some people will always look at things negatively and will never be satisfied with what they have...

Answer 4

I don't think the American Dream was ever meant to mean that everyone would be top executives. I think having a home a decent car and enough money to help your kids with college is about as good as it gets. I think people are really poor because the mismanage money. I don't make a hell of a lot but my children want for nothing.

I am suprised at the amount of people on here wanting to be rich! I am working class and proud of it!

Answer 5

In general, the American dream can be defined as being the opportunity and freedom for all citizens to achieve their goals and become wealthy and renowned if only they work hard enough.The term American Dream has had many shades of meaning throughout American history. Today, it generally refers to the idea that one's prosperity depends upon one's own abilities and hard work, not on a rigid class structure

Nah , Just try something new out , like a new job you could get with some training or higher education ...

Answer 6

The American dream was something real in the past but I think it is gone today. Before you didn't have to graduate high school but if you had the drive, you could go far. Today you must attend collage to get anywhere. Not every family has the means to send their children off to one of the top schools. Some people who are lucky enough to be born into a famous or elite family often have more control over their furture.

Answer 7

The American Dream was never about being in the top 1% of the wealthiest people. It was about being able to work hard and own your own piece of land. To have a dream (even a small one) and have the opportunity to achieve your goals. The "American Dream" is an individual dream, and while some have a longer road to achieving their dreams, I do believe the spirit of the American Dream is real and not a myth.

Answer 8

capitalism is an economy based on greed and who can accumulate the most material things.. .. how wrong is that? i mean, even if you did get to the top, you would still be miserable, and no one in the entire world would be the better for your success. you would have more money, but honestly, you would have less value. no one would respect you for anything but your possessions, and my guess is that there would be almost literally no one out of the six point something billion people in the world that cared anything about you. in fact, they would want you to die suddenly so they could replace you. it is a corrupt, vulnerable system, and honestly i cannot figure out how the founding fathers got away with basing an entire country on it unless they were just as greedy as those on top today.
so the american dream isn't dead, but it's a pipe dream.

Answer 9

Moxie, we don't know each-other, so it's hard to talk about your chances being elected as a president, but, thing is - It's not impossible.
People, which are born poor have a will to make their lifes better, they have a will to give their children things, which they hadn't in their childhood.
I agree that there is no way that everyone can make it rich, but - interesting thing is - who makes ? Guys [no offence to anyone] who are sitting 24/7, doing nothing, won't make it, ofcourse. But people, with some brain and will, with dream and faith will do everything, what they want, cause it's life.
Enjoy it !
P.S. And remember, every myth has it's main characters, be one of 'em.
Good Luck

Answer 10

I don't think the American Dream has traditionally really been reaching "the top", but reaching just a normal status. The "white picket fence" dream... House, kids and family, car, etc. Nowadays, people are trying to shoot for more than the stars and it seems a lot less likely...