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So many come to American to achieve the American Dream. Many appear to be living the American Dream. Some are even faking the American Dream. What are your thoughts? What is the American Dream to you? Are you living it?
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur
Transition
Freedom
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 15
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It is the belief and indeed a policy of ensuring a level playing field and the opportunity to build a successful life by the sweat of your brow and the brilliance of your ideas.
It is the arch-rival of the "entitlement dream".
It is the arch-rival of the "entitlement dream".
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
I would say a level playing field cannot exist, but I agree with the latter part of what you wrote.
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1SG (Join to see)
CDR Michael Goldschmidt - You can only give them a fair shake and the tools, sir. Motivation to use that comes from within.
When I say "level" I mean that everyone gets an education and the right to pursue their dreams.
What entitlements do is drain people of that motivation by rewarding sloth. Increasingly, able-bodied and -minded folks are turning to "free stuff" instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to be so much more. Our safety net has become a hammock for many.
When I say "level" I mean that everyone gets an education and the right to pursue their dreams.
What entitlements do is drain people of that motivation by rewarding sloth. Increasingly, able-bodied and -minded folks are turning to "free stuff" instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to be so much more. Our safety net has become a hammock for many.
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It is, to me, the fact that my wife lets me sleep in the same bed with her (regardless of the fact that I snore badly), that my kids want me to read to them and play LEGOs with them. That I have a job that I truly like and enjoy. And the fact that all of these things that I have, I earned.
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MSG Wally Carmichael
Many great answers and each are absolutely correct for that person. MSG (Join to see) , your answer sounds like part of my life, minus the snoring. Ok, I snore once in a while. I think the gas can be worse though. ;-/ Thanks for your comments.
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Yes, I epitomize what I see as the American Dream. Came from poor beginnings, worked my butt off, went in the Navy got education and experience, promoted to the top of the heap, retired now with three pensions, plus SS, no debts for over twenty years, married over 50 years, healthy family. That's it.
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MSG Wally Carmichael
Very impressive MCPO Roger Collins, That is the living the dream. I'm very happy for you and your family.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Thanks, Wally. I can't express my blessings enough and hope for the same for my fellow vets. It doesn't come overnight.
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Not sure what it actually is today...but I can say what it used to be a long time ago, lol
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My interpretation of the American Dream is to have a job that will allow me to support my family, have a reasonable house, two late model vehicles, and savings where we do not have to worry about living from paycheck to paycheck. Finally, enough money to take a national vacation every two to three years (i.e. Disneyworld).
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The American dream is being able to succeed or fail based on your own effort.
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I believe the American Dream is largely dead. Unless, you believe the American Dream is the have someone else provide your desires while you make no effort in pursuit of your desires.
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MCPO Roger Collins
When you have that driven into your head by the educational system for sixteen years or so, you believe it. Until you get a job and see how it's paid for. Then you become a politician or a Democrat,
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In the grand scheme of things it's in the Declaration of Independence; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
For the pursuit of happiness you need to ask yourself several questions, what will make me happy and what do I need to do to be happy? If you want to become independently wealthy, what are you going to do to become wealthy? What skill or talent do I need to develop to achieve that goal?
Liberty is needed to achieve your own personal goals and if we lived in an oppressive country that liberty is severely dampened. However, we don't live in an oppressive country and anyone here has the same opportunities to achieve their dreams if they apply themselves using 2 personality traits, initiative and integrity. There really are more, but the basic is take the initiative to start developing your skills or talents and have the integrity to be truthful to yourself while developing the skills and/or talents necessary to achieve the goals. Hard work and perseverance is how you achieve happiness.
With liberty and happiness, we ensure our lives and the lives of those around us prosper. Personally, I believe those that complain about achieving the American dream lack the courage to try.
For the pursuit of happiness you need to ask yourself several questions, what will make me happy and what do I need to do to be happy? If you want to become independently wealthy, what are you going to do to become wealthy? What skill or talent do I need to develop to achieve that goal?
Liberty is needed to achieve your own personal goals and if we lived in an oppressive country that liberty is severely dampened. However, we don't live in an oppressive country and anyone here has the same opportunities to achieve their dreams if they apply themselves using 2 personality traits, initiative and integrity. There really are more, but the basic is take the initiative to start developing your skills or talents and have the integrity to be truthful to yourself while developing the skills and/or talents necessary to achieve the goals. Hard work and perseverance is how you achieve happiness.
With liberty and happiness, we ensure our lives and the lives of those around us prosper. Personally, I believe those that complain about achieving the American dream lack the courage to try.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
We don't live in an oppressive country? Try getting caught traveling with cash. Try using or even possessing a substance or item the collective has prohibited. Try protesting too close to a government official. Try getting caught carrying a weapon in so many places. Try having a woman accuse you of abuse, with no corroborating evidence. This is often a very oppressive country.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Darn Republic. The Constitution gave the elected officials and the President and the Judiciary way too much power. Oh, that's right we elected them. "We have met the enemy, and he is us"
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