It’s called the American Dream ’cause you have to be asleep to believe it. -George Carlin
A few simple words by the great late George Carlin really puts into perspective how many non-Americans see the American Dream. The idea and ideal that keeping your head down, working hard, and following the rules will bring you to the top of the economic chain, is plain devious.
Immigrants come to America because it is free and a greta place to make a fresh start to become rich. Unfortunately, the reality is that social mobility within a capitalistic economic system is marginal. The only real changes are that the wealthy become richer and the disadvantaged become poorer. We have all heard about President Barack Obama’s rise from the middle class to the most powerful position in the free world. His story, however, is one in a million and considering race, has only occurred about once so far in this lifetime.
The American Dream instills in people a hope that someday they too can be like the wealthy. Once again the reality is that they are not a classless society and they do not rise together during times of prosperity. This dream is essentially the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. By instilling this hope into the American people, it attempts to remove the impulse for radical change (such as revolutions) and encourages people to be good citizens and to work hard.
Production systems disguise the origin of goods. -Karl Marx
The American Dream also covers up the true intentions that the upper class hold. The idea is that if we are constantly striding to become like the wealthy (great consumers of material items), then we too will be highly regarded. However, this desire to consume excessive amounts of good is crucial in ensuring that the middle class occupants will remain there. They are told by advertisers that this product or that product needs to be bought to make you happy. As long as these individuals keep attempting to make themselves happy, often with items which they cannot afford, the economic disparity between the rich and the poor will continue to expand.
The American Dream is just that- a dream. The citizens of the American middle class need to realize that dreams are fictional. They may reflect deep desires but they are not realistic. Yes, striving to accomplish these dreams is great but it is the personal well-being which is greater.
Jamile Badran
Jordan Laurin
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