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Today American consumers have nearly $1 trillion of outstanding credit card debt. A quarter of all homeowners are paying more on their mortgage than their home is worth. And unemployment nationwide has reached 8.1 percent. Does this economic crisis put the American dream at risk? Many may wonder that, as a nation, have we so corrupted the fundamental ideals of the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that we instead find ourselves living through the American nightmare? Joining The Takeaway to help answer this is David Kamp. He’s a contributing editor for
Vanity Fair and has written the article
Rethinking The American Dream. Kamp joins us for the first in a series of conversations about what the American dream means in this day and age.
Comments [5]
I am an immigrant. I live on Staten Island and have been in this country for almost 20 years. My "American dream" is to someday retire to my civilized homeland (Canada) and enjoy free healthcare and a higher standard of living.
I've always considered myself a reverse snob and never bought into the "more is better"/"more is necessary to be happy" routine. I'm an early Baby Boomer raised by older blue-collar parents in the So. Bronx. I've far outdistanced my parents in schooling, work life, wonderful relationships and income. But I've never gotten far from their simple, hard working, faith-based values and raised my kids accordingly. We are, therefore two generations who expect to work hard and honestly for what we want/have and don't depend on material 'stuff' to feel good about ourselves. That works well both practically and emotionally to survive "times such as these".
I grew up in a Community that was upwardly mobile and never once did I want to emulate the superficiality, suburban boredom, keeping up with the Jones's that surrounded me. So much so that I tried suicide at 17 years of age. The American dream to me is pursuing a purposefull life, connecting with like minded people and contributing to the community that embraces you.
It's the idea of "The American Dream" that has been forced on us--a house, a car and all the consumer goods that go with it--that has caused the incredible ballooning of the market, and the pop. We just don't need it, we get too caught up in the idea of achieving "The American Dream" that we loose track of enjoying life. SIMPLIFY and truly feel free.
Also imagine the freedom all citizens would feel if they weren't constantly worried about Healthcare--that's my American Dream
The America Dream has always bee just a dream for so many people. The only difference now is that more people understand how systems and institutions can strip you of an opportunity to earn a livable wage almost instantly. We as a country can no longer merely blame individuals for their inability to manifest the "American Dream". This recession has been humbling for our country because we finally know that poverty can happen to any one no one is exempt.
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