Are you taking advantage of the “American Dream”?

by "Get it Done Girl" on June 6, 2012 · 0 comments

in Free Agency,freelance,small biz

I took a call this morning from a gentleman with Oxford Film & Television who is making a “state of the nation” film looking at big issues facing the US in light of the impending Presidential elections. He’s interested in my work with Unemployed in Des Moines, will be in Des Moines in a few weeks for research and may or may not decide to use us in his film…we’ll see.

We spent a half hour talking about the unemployment situation in Des Moines, my opinion of it and how members of Unemployed in Des Moines feel about their future.

His last question really made me reflect:

“Do people in America think differently about the ‘American Dream’ than they used to because of the current state of the nation?” Particularly as it relates to unemployment

Woah…

Having lived in Germany for two years, as an American, you’re viewed as someone with limitless opportunities at home. His question really made me reflect on life in general in a very different light. Am I taking advantage of what the world calls the “American Dream”?

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States; a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. Wikipedia.org

Speaking to an Englishman on the phone, his view of the American culture is that we have no limits on what we can achieve, how much money we can make and a future that we mold. If we want to go out and start a business, we can. If we want to go out and find a job, we can. No matter what, we can make it.

Whether you’re employed, unemployed or underemployed, are you taking advantage of the “American Dream” afforded you because you live in the United States?

What do you think:

“Do people in America think differently about the ‘American Dream’ than they used to because of the current state of the nation?”

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