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American Dream Limitations

Decent Essays

Oxford Dictionaries defines “American dream” as “the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” This statement may be empirically defined, but it is just a simple definition that does not apply to every person. In the eyes of Americans, the up-and-coming key element of the American dream is promoting opportunity for one's children. This achieves a closer view of the public opinion, but again, not everyone can claim this outlook for themselves. To me, the American dream is only applicable in situations where security is involved.

In 1931, historian James Maslow Adams first popularized the phrase "American dream" when he wrote that it is the "dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." He followed that up …show more content…

We, as a collective group of Americans, would not be capable of living in this prosperous land if not for our country’s national security services for which I am undeniably grateful. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that both opportunity and privacy belong in the conversation for meaningfulness in regards to the American dream. I am plainly attempting to convince contrarians that, as our national ethos, the American dream is more than a simple strive for greatness as a community. It is also our forgotten ability to appreciate the security our country administers, our ability to be independent and free from harm. The populations of other countries do not get to experience this freedom, this independence, this security. We cannot take for granted the distinct factor that makes the American dream truly American. Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Who can have courage unless security precedes

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