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What Was the American Dream?
There are many modern ideas about
what is the American Dream. Some view it as owning your own home.
Others view it as the opportunity to become financially wealthy.
Still others say it is the freedom to do whatever you want and to
become whatever you would like to be—even becoming the President of
the United States. If those are the ideals that most people embrace
as the American Dream, than for many, the dream has become a
nightmare.
Home foreclosures have reached near record
levels, and the number of homeowners who are “underwater”
is nearly fourteen million.
However, those people are among the group that can even afford to
purchase a house. Many people never even get out of the rut of
paying rent and owning a home of their own. Even many elderly, who
paid for their homes after many years of payments, find that they
must sell them, or do a “reverse mortgage”
in order to pay for living expenses and property taxes. Because of
property tax laws, high utility costs, and Medicare regulations,
many elderly are forced to either sell, or have their homes
foreclosed upon. Furthermore, the “freedom” in owning a home is not
all that it portends to be. Many communities have such restrictive
zoning laws and building regulations, that most people are forbidden
to do anything but the most basic upkeep on their houses. Some
cities require homeowners to have permits to even paint their house,
or do any other minor repairs. While many people, of days gone by,
used their homes for business or professional proposes, such is not
permitted with today’s zoning laws. Many cities now require licenses
and fees to even have a garage sale. Considering all of the stress
of paying for a home and property taxes; and with all the
restrictive laws and regulations prohibiting what people can do
with, and in their homes; it can hardly be imagined that this is the
American Dream.
The recent fall of the stock markets due to
recession, the bursting of the “tech bubble,”
the panic selloff after 9/11, and other forces have all but dashed
the “dreams” of many Americans to become rich. The dream of enjoying
a comfortable retirement, with millions of dollars in their nest
eggs, is all but gone for most average Americans, who have seen
their IRAs plummet in value over the last ten years. Even before
recent events, the Federal Government, through taxation and
regulation, has made the dream of becoming wealthy, almost
unreachable for most people. There have been a few niche
entrepreneurs, like Bill Gates, who have amassed a fortune in recent
years; but the tax laws that have been passed since the early 1900’s
have only served to protect those who already made their fortunes,
and effectively shut-out the average person from becoming wealthy.
Most people are taxed just to the point of having enough to live on,
with nothing left over to invest or start a business. Even if a
person somehow manages to start a business or company, complicated
Federal income and Social Security tax laws, OSHA regulations, EPA
regulations, state and local unemployment and business taxes, fire,
health, and business regulations, all effectively discourage and
prevent most people from enjoying their own business and becoming
wealthy. Many new businesses fail within the first two years, and
most do not make it past five. The reason: paperwork, taxes, and
regulations all but kill their incentive and consume what little
profit people may earn. There is simply too much work for too little
reward in owning a business; and most people give up, or go broke
trying. While many Americans “dream” of working for themselves and
enjoying the fruits of their labors, the majority will find that the
way to financial independence has been effectively blocked off to
them. For many, the only financial “dream” left to them is to win a
state controlled lottery.
While some may argue that it is
still possible for anyone to become President, realistically, most
modern day elections are manipulated and controlled. In the
twentieth century there have been very few “Abe Lincoln” type
presidents, who rose to that office on their own ability and
strength of character. Unless a person is wealthy enough to finance
their own campaign, have family ties to political insiders, or be
chosen and groomed for higher office by a major party, there is
little chance that a “common” man will ever again be elected to that
office. Even to become a senator or representative requires
tremendous financial backing and support from the election
“machines.” Howbeit, aside from political office, are not American’s
free to become whatever they wish? To some degree they are. However,
even certain fields, such as medical doctors, are extremely
difficult to enter without having some “insider’s” pull to get a
person into medical college. To go to a prestigious business or law
school, such as Harvard or Yale, also requires family or insider
assistance, not to mention huge financial resources. These Ivy
League colleges are the “prerequisite” for many important business,
legal, political, and professional positions; and those who are not
among societies “upper crust” will find it difficult to be accepted
to them. Most Americans are relegated to “middle class” occupations,
and will find it very hard to break into the “higher rungs” of
business or society. We, like the French royal court before the
revolution, have become a nation of “elites.” America has become a
nation that is controlled by those who are wealthy and have
political clout; and the frequency of those who break through the
“glass ceiling” to fulfill their “dreams” is extremely low. Unless
someone is fortunate enough to be talented in sports or
entertainment, be opportunistic or inventive, most people will find
that their “real” opportunities are very limited.
While these “dreams” are the
“carrots” which are dangled before the masses of the American
people, and those who want to live here, for most of us, that is all
they are. While some people still may fantasize about having power
and wealth, most Americans are resigned to live modestly, and have
lost all hope of being rich and famous. Some are cynical about life
in America, but others have learned to be content with their status.
The difference between those who are contented and those who are not
is—what “dream” are they satisfied with. Those who futilely struggle
after the, all but unattainable, “dreams” that have been falsely set
before us, will only become discouraged and bitter. However, there
is a “dream” which is still quite attainable for all of us. It is
the “dream” which brought the Pilgrims to the shores of America, and
that which our Founding Fathers guaranteed when they wrote the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Before exploring what the “real”
American Dream is, we must ask the following questions: What
conditions provoked the first Europeans to leave “civilized” society
and come to a continent that was an unsettled wilderness? Why would
people risk their lives to cross the ocean and come to a place that
was largely unknown and filled with dangers? While some came for
adventure, and others came to make their fortune, most of those who
first came, came for other reasons. What, therefore, was life like
in the seventeenth and eighteenth century for most people who lived
in Europe? First of all, nearly every country was ruled by a monarch
and an accompanying “royal” class. This was made up of princes and
princesses, dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies, and other
individuals considered to be the “upper,” or ruling class of those
societies. These were not individuals who rose to their positions by
intelligence or hard work, but simply were born into their place of
wealth and power. They were deemed to be of “royal” blood; and
therefore were “destined” by God to be in control of the “inferior”
masses. Secondly, nearly all land and business was owned or
controlled by those of the royal class. Most people either worked
directly for, or as tenants of those in control. Becoming
independent, wealthy, or owning property was nearly impossible for
most common people. Thirdly, there were no basic human rights—laws
were always in favor of the ruling class; courts were always biased
against the commoner; and therefore, injustices toward the common
man abounded. Lastly, and most intolerable, was that even the
personal beliefs of the people were controlled by state religions.
There were only state controlled churches, which were presided over
by appointed priests, bishops, pastors, and others, who were under
the direct control of the ruling class, or the equally powerful,
state church. The rule of the Roman Catholic Church was the most
dominate force in organized religion; and later, the Church of
England became the state religion of Great Briton. The freedom of
religion, as we know it today, was non-existent; and those who tried
to worship God according to their own dictates, were flogged,
imprisoned, or lost their means of livelihood.
What this atmosphere bred was a
desire for liberty that motivated people to seek a way out of the
oppressive conditions under which they lived. The “dream” that these
first settlers had in coming to America was of a new life. A life
where, yes, they would have the freedom to own property and have a
better standard of living; but more importantly, a life where they
would have the same basic rights as everyman, and be treated fairly
according to just laws and courts; and most importantly, a life
where could worship their Creator God according to truth and their
own conscience. While the original Pilgrims still owed allegiance to
the monarchs of the Old World, and many of the original colonies
were formed under the authority and guidance of their European
rulers, they found in America a foretaste of those freedoms that
would later come to fruition in the Declaration of Independence, the
United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They found in
America an opportunity to cast away the old systems and restraints
that kept people in servitude to their king, their masters, and the
state church.
What it is important to realize
however, is that these people did not come here to live without any
restraints. These original settlers were not of those who merely
wanted the liberty to live as they pleased. Most of the early
Pilgrims were very religious people, who understood the importance
of government and freedom “under God.” They understood that men, as
individuals, or society as a whole, cannot enjoy true freedom and
liberty unless they are controlled by the belief in, and a personal,
reverential fear of God. They also believed that God established
human government for the good of mankind; and that anarchy and
rebellion against authority would only bring chaos. Most of those
who came still believed in loyalty to their European monarchs and
the governors that were appointed to rule over them. It was only
when these “foreign” authorities began to make life in America, as
intolerable as it had been in Europe, that the idea of a free and
independent country became the “dream” of the masses.
When in the Course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the
Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation.
We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That
whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for
light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath
shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are
sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which
they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their
duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for
their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of
these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them
to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the
present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an
absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be
submitted to a candid world.
The American Dream, that dominated the
consciousness of our country for almost two hundred years, was that
men have the right, under God, to live in liberty and freedom. That
men, as individuals, “are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
It was the dream that men ought to be at liberty to worship God, not
by the dictates of a state religion, but according to God’s revealed
truth. The primary focus of the dream was not to become rich, or
become politically powerful—they had already tasted what the abuse
of power led to; but that men ought to be free, with reasonable
restraints, to do or to become what they so desired. The dream was
that our central government would only be established to protect the
personal liberties of its citizenry, and not to dictate how they
should live. The personal liberties, found in the Bill of Rights,
made it plain which liberties were to be guaranteed, and restricted
the government from overstepping its authority. The founding fathers
were so concerned about the abuse of power, that it included the
provision that people have a right to bear arms—not for the purpose
of sport or hunting, as some would have us believe; but to protect
themselves from an abusive government that threatened personal
liberties.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being
necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people
to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace
be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in
time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer
for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land
or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time
of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the
same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process
of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without
just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall
have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to
have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the
value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial
by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be
otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution,
of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States
by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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