Is the American Dream still alive? If so, what is it?

Question:or if it has died, is there a new american dream?

most involved, clear and original answer 10 points =)

and no, this isn't for school.... i'm just wondering.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: or if it has died, is there a new american dream?

most involved, clear and original answer 10 points =)

and no, this isn't for school.... i'm just wondering.

The American Dream of old is dead. It died in the 70's when the shutters were pulled from the eyes of the public and we began dealing with reality. We are still a long way from seeing clearly, because for some reason we keep making stupid decisions, or at least our politicians do. But at least now we've grown up a bit and there are people who are constantly watching and protesting, even if it is to no avail.
I think there are several new American Dreams.
There are those who dream of being famous and living a glamorous life, or to at least settle for living a cushy life in the burbs with a motorboat in the driveway and a shiny SUV to tow it to the lake on weekends. These are the people who have their heads buried in the sand and can't stand to look at the saddening parts of our reality.
Then there are those who dream of spreading good all around the country and even the world. They see our land as one of ideals which they say belong to all mankind and would like to see them spread. These people see America as the birthplace of the culture of cool. They see the young idealism that died in Europe and couldn't take hold over dictators and poverty or scattered feudal govermnents in developing countries. They dream, and they hope. Let us all hope.

I believe the American dream used to be one centralized idea that anyone can move to America and become successful. It was not always true however, because of the tensions between different races. The modern American dream is more diverse in that every American has a dream but now they are free to not only dream it but pursue it.

The American Dream is a concept that Europeans made up about America. No one in America seriously talks about the American Dream. People make jokes about people who make a lot of money selling whatever and they can now afford something else so they are living the American Dream. So yes, it has died in the sense that it was never really there to the extent that people say it was. And for the same reason it is still alive for a lot of people. Whatever it is. Or was.

No it long died, since it was hope, of living in a land of peace, having a job, to earn enough raise a family and prosper.

"American Dream" strikes me as a social/political catch phrase used to associate the author/speaker with some universal ideal with popular appeal.
In fact, it appears to apply to white-bread conformists easily led by an ephemeral promise of better things to come: I hasten to add that those bright, industrious people with high values certainly do exist, often held up as examples of the "good life".
Such folks are mostly 3rd or 4th-generation, prosperous in a stable society that is harder to attain for 1st or 2nd-gen.
What can you say for a society that seems to be trending to a quasi-fascist form of government bent on complete control of thought, communication and social mobility? Trade and commerce are delegated to corporations that provide rich endowments for a fungible administration supporting their acquisitive goals.
Now, ask me if a future "American Dream" would be attainable or even desirable.

The original American dream seems to be to have a steady life: A job, a home, 2.3 children, a loving spouse, and friends.

This is still the American dream for some people.

Other people don't want this and others are not able to achieve this.

My new American Dream is more for the whole world. No war. No hunger.