The Issue Of The American Dream - 1348 Words

Imagine a land where capitalism flourishes and the individual has total control over his hard earned dollar. A land where he can work his way to the top with no limits, with the atmosphere to lavish in the ostentatious lifestyle. This picture seems to paint the American dream; however, why is it that so many Americans today are struggling just to survive? One day to the next is a paralyzing plethora of bills, inflating food prices, and medical expenses. The principle of the American dream that states anyone and everyone has the opportunity to achieve economic greatness is overtly false. How can any nation boast economic superiority and prosperity when the top 1% of the population, on average, generates more than 25 times the annual income of the bottom 99% AND over 15.1% of the population lives in poverty! The bottom line is economic inequality is one of the largest issues Americans face today and drastic measures need to be taken to start work on alleviating this crisis. The United States isn’t the only country in the world who is suffering from this issue either. Many first-world countries are also struggling with rising unemployment rates, as well as people falling into poverty. It is how a country chooses to reduce this issue that is crucial. A rational choice theorist might analyze this issue and most likely conclude that it is an individual issue. The top one percent of income earners in the US acted only in their self-interest, not realizing that their zealousShow MoreRelatedEassy About The American Dream948 Words   |  4 Pages to speak the certainty about the American dream, and the truth is this: the American dream is not as easy of a feat to accomplish as you think. Ever since July 4th, 1776, America has fought many wars, overcome the great depression, and had conflict within the nation. With all these great dangers the Americans still have no idea of what the dream is or how to achieve it. Americans may think they are living the American dream, but the reality is that the American people will be faced with challengesRead MoreThe American Dream : A Toxic Fantasy910 Words   |  4 Pages The American dream is full of promises and aspirations, that every American someday shall have opportunities and potential to attain self-actualization. To make this has not been the case owing to the challenges brought about income inequalities, jobless and capitalistic ideologies that pose active and reactive forces on men and women of the lower cadre. The American dream gives men the hope that one day they shall own a decent home, live an ample neighborhood, save income money for golden yearsRead MoreThe American Dream is Built on Family Bonds Essay1305 Words   |  6 Pages The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The â€Å"American Dream† is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded uponRead MoreF. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby 1219 Words   |  5 PagesTHE AMERICAN DREAM IN GATSBY The American dream is a tacit promise given to all citizens in this country, which states that regardless of social class, any individual can aspire to new heights based upon the ideology of meritocracy. The American dream is a â€Å"recurring theme in American literature†(Pearson) and in American society. However, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s critically acclaimed novel, presents the American dream as an illusion which can never be achieved, and according to recentRead MoreReclaiming the American Dream Through Community Service1250 Words   |  5 Pagesluxuries and life proves useful in discussing the transformation of the modern American Dream. Americans today tend to believe that luxuries and comforts determine if they have achieved the American Dream. Common aspects of the American Dream include buying a house and a car, but as Thoreau would argue, these materials serve no real purpose besides a false sense of prestige. Actually, commercialism has transfo rmed the American Dream into a materialistic ideal, where, as for example, the more Apple productsRead MoreThe American Dream823 Words   |  4 Pageswhat the American Dream is and what it takes to make it a reality. The most common and the most accurate idea of the American Dream is for all to have the opportunity to have a chance at living a nice life. This includes all immigrants and anyone else who seems to lack better opportunities often. The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America (read:rich) if they just work hard enough (Wulick). The American Dream is alsoRead MoreThe Importance Of The American Dream773 Words   |  4 PagesThe American dream has changed drastically thru our history. Back in the 1950 and 1960 the American dream was to have the house with the white picket fence and the 2  ½ kids. Now the dream for a lot of people is to be able to pay their bills and maybe have enough money t o go out for a nice little dinner that you did not have to cook yourself. The American dream is dead, it is because the concept has changed from the idea that everyone can improve their life through hard work to the idea that everyoneRead MoreChasing the American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry972 Words   |  4 Pages Chasing the American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun is a play about an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. This family is going through many struggles, both within the family and financially. The family is awaiting an insurance check. The story focuses on the individual dreams of each family member and what they want to do with the money. The family struggles to mend their family issues along with deciding what they will do with the money.Read MoreGiving A Voice : Langston Hughes, An American Poet And Social Activist967 Words   |  4 PagesLangston Hughes is an American poet and social activist. Hughes’ poems tend to resonate with the majority of his readers because he discusses topics that transcend time. Hughes wrote his poetry so eloquently that his poetry can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the reader’s personal background and what they bring to the reading. Even today his readers can connect to his poetry because he discusses subjects tha t we are faced with today, such as identity issues. Hughes is known forRead MoreLiving the American Dream918 Words   |  4 Pages The American Dream has long been held with high regard by the people of the United States. The human experience within the American Dream varies, but was founded with the intended goal of the pursuit of happiness; it involves freedom of opportunity to the individual and the availability of upward socioeconomic mobility due to one’s successes. The experience is similar to other individual’s in many ways through these guarantees, because all have protection of their individual rights and protection