For centuries, America has been considered the land of freedom. Ergo, anyone in pursuit of a life better than the one that they were born into could find it on the American soil. If one possessed the ambition to succeed, they could aspire to be whoever, or whatever, they wish. That is the epitome of the American dream. However, as our country has evolved, so has the perception of the beloved dream. According to Frank Luntz and Ron Dermer’s article, A Farewell to the American Dream, “66% [of baby boomers] thought that the next generation’s standard of living would be worse… than [theirs].” This belief challenges the idea that one could rise above the status from which they came. For early America, if one worked hard, they were successful. However,
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In President Roosevelt’s speech, Address on the Occasion of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, he reveals why America was desirable to other countries. There has never been talk about “a British… German… or French dream,” therefore, others’ view of America was one of greatness (Luntz and Dermer), a place where their freedoms were “safer, richer, and more capable of growth” (FDR). The fact of the matter is, the mindset of America has changed. At the time of this speech, the American dream was an ambition that the country, as a whole, shared. However, over the years, the dream has been distorted. It has gone from a shared goal to an individual objective. People have started “[blaming] the government” when their dreams fail (Luntz and Dermer). Consequently, when people do not achieve success, they do not take responsibility for it. This notion is tearing the American dream …show more content…
Americans were raised to believe that, with hard work and sacrifice, they had the potential to be an elite. Many people immigrated to America believing that they would “find a home in which things they most desired could be theirs – freedom of opportunity” (FDR). This speech gave hope to those looking for the opportunity to be successful or become apart of the elite class (FDR). In Garrison Wynn’s book, The Real Truth About Success, he gives many helpful tips for those looking to become apart of the top one percent. Wynn describes how easy it is to be successful using advantages saying “the top one percent… did not always have size, beauty, or remarkable demeanors, but… had advantages…to help them be successful” (Wynn 59). Anyone can find advantages in a situation to help them get the job or promotion. However, opportunity is not always available to everyone and may only be open to those in the elite
In President Roosevelt’s speech, Address on the Occasion of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, he reveals why America was desirable to other countries. There has never been talk about “a British… German… or French dream,” therefore, others’ view of America was one of greatness (Luntz and Dermer), a place where their freedoms were “safer, richer, and more capable of growth” (FDR). The fact of the matter is, the mindset of America has changed. At the time of this speech, the American dream was an ambition that the country, as a whole, shared. However, over the years, the dream has been distorted. It has gone from a shared goal to an individual objective. People have started “[blaming] the government” when their dreams fail (Luntz and Dermer). Consequently, when people do not achieve success, they do not take responsibility for it. This notion is tearing the American dream …show more content…
Americans were raised to believe that, with hard work and sacrifice, they had the potential to be an elite. Many people immigrated to America believing that they would “find a home in which things they most desired could be theirs – freedom of opportunity” (FDR). This speech gave hope to those looking for the opportunity to be successful or become apart of the elite class (FDR). In Garrison Wynn’s book, The Real Truth About Success, he gives many helpful tips for those looking to become apart of the top one percent. Wynn describes how easy it is to be successful using advantages saying “the top one percent… did not always have size, beauty, or remarkable demeanors, but… had advantages…to help them be successful” (Wynn 59). Anyone can find advantages in a situation to help them get the job or promotion. However, opportunity is not always available to everyone and may only be open to those in the elite