What does "The American Dream" mean to you?

So I'm going over to the US Embassy tomorrow, for a discussion about said dream. Here's an exert from the email.

"The Occupy Wall Street protests have caused American commentators to re-examine the idea of the American Dream. Generally, the American Dream means that because Americans are lucky to live in a place full of opportunities, those who work hard will be successful and will realize their dreams. What does "the American Dream" mean to you? How do our expectations of the future shape the present?"

I have a few ideas of my own, but I found the topic interesting, and would like to hear something from actual Americans.

I always thought the american dream was to own your own house. Some people say its to do better than your parents. Basically, I think it's the dream that any person from any background can find success.

So I'm going over to the US Embassy tomorrow

Arthur96

wow, should be interesting

Whats an American Dream?

Anyone can be in the top 1% if they try hard enough.

[spoiler] BULLSH*T [/spoiler]

The American Dream no longer exists.

The rest of the first world has far caught up to the economic opportunities that once were present in America because of the large land and lower population. That's changed since the population has increased and low-skill jobs are shipped to Asia.

There was a time where you could make it well in this country with nothing but common sense, a strong will, and determination. Not anymore. There is no changing that.

I feel the "dream" still exists, but it's different for everyone.

I can say I just want to find a job that I will enjoy, and will pay me enough to where I can pay off bills. Then hopefully find somone to make a family with.

i think these days it means have your own reality show or to be famous simply because your famous

Go over to America get a epic job and good house,atleast thats what I want to do(Hopefully)

Not looking where you are going in work, falling over, hiring a sleazy lawyer and suing them for millions of dollars. That's the dream.

That or drug trafficking.

If you take a look at all the hard labour jobs, contractors, anything that involves manual labour ie. working hard ... its all foreign people. I know I work in the trades. These people come from 3rd world countries, or dictatorships and they're happy to work their butts off for next to nothing. The avg. american wants the high paying job that doesn't require doing anything and spend 150% of their income and have mutiple credit cards.

If you take a look at all the hard labour jobs, contractors, anything that involves manual labour ie. working hard ... its all foreign people. I know I work in the trades. These people come from 3rd world countries, or dictatorships and they're happy to work their butts off for next to nothing. The avg. american wants the high paying job that doesn't require doing anything and spend 150% of their income and have mutiple credit cards.

Skarwolf

Pretty sure thats most peoples dream. To do as little for as much money as possible.

[QUOTE="Skarwolf"]

If you take a look at all the hard labour jobs, contractors, anything that involves manual labour ie. working hard ... its all foreign people. I know I work in the trades. These people come from 3rd world countries, or dictatorships and they're happy to work their butts off for next to nothing. The avg. american wants the high paying job that doesn't require doing anything and spend 150% of their income and have mutiple credit cards.

Ilovegames1992

Pretty sure thats most peoples dream. To do as little for as much money as possible.

the American dream still exists, but hardly anyone will achieve it.

The American Dream is usually having a steady paying job, owning a home, and having a family. My personal "American Dream" is to make it big in the film industry. I wanna be a writer, just like my father. He won a Pulitzer Prize, and he says I have more talent at my age than he had. And considering he went to a bad school for undergrad, and got a masters at Northwestern, it's not out of the realm of possibility. For me, it's Hollywood or bust. If I work the rest of my life at a Subway in Van Nuys, while pursuing my dream, I'll be fine with that. Live life with no regrets.

the American dream still exists, but hardly anyone will achieve it.

needled24-7

Pft. American Dream... pft. That was so 1950. Does it even legitimately exist any more?3eyedrazorback

[QUOTE="3eyedrazorback"]Pft. American Dream... pft. That was so 1950. Does it even legitimately exist any more?BossPerson

Nothing but a dream. An illusion people have of a «Wonderful America» that doesn't exists.

[QUOTE="BossPerson"][QUOTE="3eyedrazorback"]Pft. American Dream... pft. That was so 1950. Does it even legitimately exist any more?TonyDanzaFan

[QUOTE="TonyDanzaFan"]

[QUOTE="BossPerson"]/threadBossPerson

It's people who work hard every day, working long hours for little money, yet are convinced that their ship will come in someday, and it will be easy just because they've worked hard.

It's people who work hard every day, working long hours for little money, yet are convinced that their ship will come in someday, and it will be easy just because they've worked hard.

Tylendal

[QUOTE="Tylendal"]

It's people who work hard every day, working long hours for little money, yet are convinced that their ship will come in someday, and it will be easy just because they've worked hard.

BossPerson

I think the UK gives people better opportunities to become successful than the US. Should be called the British dream.SolidSnake35

The British dream for your typical asylum seeker:

Come to Britain, do nothing, get thousands of pounds of free money.

YAY!!

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]I think the UK gives people better opportunities to become successful than the US. Should be called the British dream.Ilovegames1992

The British dream for your typical asylum seeker:

Come to Britain, do nothing, get thousands of pounds of free money.

YAY!!

I just think of what George Carlin said about it anytime I hear th prhase "American Dream".

It's a "dream".

I means "A silly phrase that conjurs up images of Leave it to Beaver and the 'perfect' American family of the 1950s"