When people think of the Amercian dream , they think of one having a stress free and happy life, an excellent education and a successful career. Many people migrate from their native country to America in search of the American dream.
Dreams of freedom, equality, and the opportunity to achieve their personal goals in life; for instance, better education, job opportunity, buying a house and living the quality of life which they couldn’t achieve back in their home country. The American dream is something that changes a person’s dream into reality, depending on their perseverance and luck.However, compared to the last few decades the American dream has been drastically changed. It is no longer what it used to be. For many, the American dreams that many people held when they were young has disappeared.
People who used to believe that they could achieve anything they wanted if they put hard effort into their work, are now feeling that those things are not much true anymore. The country's economy, standards of living and employment rates have dropped tremendously. The new economy is changing the society.It seems harder for middle class people to live their American dream; a dream of pursuit of happiness and opportunity that drives them to push their own limits and perseverance. Today the United States of America, the place where we live and the place where millions of people hope to achieve their dreams has suffered from the recession. Before the current recession, the employment rate was consistent but after the current recession the unemployment rate has increased drastically.
Thousands of people were laid off from their jobs, which made their life living a hell.According to Bob Herbert in his essay “Hiding from Reality” he states, “In June 2009, foreign born workers in the United States gained 656,000 jobs while native born workers lost 1. 2 million”(505). This means our economy doesn't look good for native workers. “Politicians across the spectrum insist that they are all about job creation while the employment situation in the real world remains beyond pathetic”(566). Many people agree with this statement.
No matter who the politician is, no matter what transformative changes in public education, job creation he/she talk endlessly about, these things still remain the same. The years go by and nothing seems to change. According to Cal Thomas, the writer of an essay “ Is The American Dream Over” he explains, “Wherever you choose to look – at the economy and jobs, the public schools, the budget deficits, the non-stop warfare overseas – you’ll see a country in sad shape” (565). Which is true because the recession in America has turned the country into a sad shape.Unemployment is not only the major issue of the current recession, which has left its huge scars on different sectors.
Most importantly, the American dream used to be a hope of opportunity and satisfaction of needs and wants for every citizen of the United States of America. But now, the time seems more difficult than the past years, and students like myself don’t know what the future may hold in this economic struggle. Income inequality in America is also one of the biggest issues that has turned American dreams into nightmares; where, many people are failing to achieve the American dreams.The income inequality has been increased rapidly while the middle class and lower incomes have remained stagnant. According to Bob Herbert in, “Hiding from Reality” he states that “ all we are good at is bulldozing money to the very wealthy” (566).
His statement is true because the government should treat all Americans equally. Now more than ever, the government should focus on providing more opportunities for the middle class; from where they can get a chance to shift their lower income into higher ones.Our society is so pathetic that rich people have been spending more money unnecessarily simply because they have so much money. And there are also poor people who work very hard every day to make money and pay the painful tabs for food, rent, education and other utilities. If the government could make a great law on income equality then every individual living in America could work harder in order to achieve happiness and equal opportunity.
That’s what we have always known as the American dream.Bob Herbert and Cal Thomas (writers of “Hiding From Reality” and “ Is the American Dream Over”?) believe that the America is in a hard place right now and what we are doing as citizens isn’t helping. They both have stated that we can improve what we are doing right now and that people can attain a better future, which they have always hoped and dreamt of. However, their views towards improving American dreams are different. According to Herbert, “America will never get its act together until we recognize how much trouble we’re really in, and how much effort and shared sacrifice is needed to stop the decline” (567).
Yes, this is absolutely true. In order to bring changes, first Americans should realize that today it seems harder to achieve their American dreams compared to past decades. They need to do their best in order to solve this problem. As Thomas says, “Anyone who thinks the dysfunctional government is going to help achieve their dreams is putting their faith in the wrong place,” (569).
People shouldn’t wait for others, such as politicians, to come up with an answer to getting a job or fulfilling the American dream.We should do what our previous generations have done by “studying and staying in school; achieving at least an undergraduate degree; avoiding drugs that harm your mind and body; getting married before you have children and work hard to stay married as an example to those children and to benefit ; saving and investing for retirement so as not a burden taxpayers and relatives; living within one’s means; demonstrating personal honesty and professional integrity, which comes character developed in one’s youth, usually with a sense of right and wrong once imposed by parents and affirmed by culture,” (570).This has worked for us before, so why can’t it work again for us to improve everyone’s lives since, politicians can’t bring any improvement on the American Dream. The term American dreams can be defined as the pursuit of happiness, freedom, and the opportunity that leads towards success. However, America has been radically changed. It is no longer what it used to be, and the major problem with it is the recession we currently face, which has increased the unemployment rate and decreased the country's economy.
Income inequality is also one of the biggest issues that has changed American Dreams. Americans are not getting equal opportunity. Many people are working, but going in a negative direction by not working in their fields. The problem, which is a huge one, is that Americans are not being treated equally. Wealth is like the wind that goes around so easily and leaves blowing in the wind, but it is not blowing in the right direction. This is making it extremely difficult for people to achieve their goals.
The government needs to make important changes in unequal distribution of wealth, unemployment and over-taxing, as soon as possible in order for people to succeed in life and fulfill their dreams. Everyone deserves a chance at the American dream but if the government stays the way it is, no one will be able to reach their goals. Just imagine, if the government made these life decision changes, everybody would be living happily and have a successful life. Things will be a lot different, everybody will be treated equally, but it is up to both the government and us making these changes.
