Best of Dennis: One Man’s Opinion – The American Dream

Best of Dennis…

Dennis is taking a short break to enjoy some time off with Jo, but will be back to writing soon. In the meantime, we’re revisiting this March 27, 2025 article on the American Dream. With immigration still dominating the airwaves and both sides talking past each other, Dennis’s question is worth asking again: what is the American Dream anyway, and have we lost sight of it?

 

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Today’s airwaves are filled with hate-filled screams about illegal immigrants.

Democrats depict them as poor folks fleeing their homeland in search of the American Dream. They highlight families wanting a better life, just like our ancestors. We should welcome them with compassion.

Republicans claim millions of immigrants broke US immigration laws (an invasion?) – while “free stuff” promised by the government, food, housing, cell phones, cars and health care is bankrupting the nation. They fill the airways with pictures of criminal gangs committing atrocities, and the plight of victims and their families.

Politics and the media are polarized, neither side appears willing to admit that there is some truth in both points of view. I’ll leave the political hysteria to others.

This whole mess has prompted me to rethink a basic question:

What is the American Dream anyway?

Kathy Fettke explains:

“WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM & WHEN DID IT START?

The Declaration of Independence protects the idea and pursuit of the American Dream. It states, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’

The Founding Fathers wrote into law the revolutionary idea that the ‘pursuit of Happiness’ is not just self-indulgence. Rather, it drives ambition and the desire to contribute to the well-being and success of society as a whole. The American Dream provides the opportunity to pursue one’s own happiness under an equal, fair and just democracy.”

Wikipedia continues:

“The ‘American Dream‘ is a phrase referring to a purported national ethos of the United States: that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life. The phrase was popularized by James Truslow Adams during the Great Depression.

Adams defined it as:

‘That 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. […] It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.'”

Our founding fathers wanted a limited government while protecting citizens’ rights. They emphasized equal opportunity, but not guaranteeing equal outcome. Outcome was determined by “ability, achievement and innate capability.”

Kathy Fettke adds:

“Thanks to the vision of our Founding Fathers, everyone has an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of one’s own happiness. The Declaration of Independence makes no attempt to define happiness or lifestyle.

Rather, it protects the right for everyone to have the same opportunity to pursue their personal vision of the American Dream. It fosters a belief in free enterprise where people can create and own businesses that operate without government control. It promotes a free-market economy where products, prices and services are decided by the market and not the government. Giving everyone an equal opportunity to create wealth however they see fit.”

Investopedia chimes in:

“The American dream also offers the promise that the circumstances of someone’s birth—including whether they were born American citizens or immigrants—do not completely determine their future.”

My Personal Experience of the American Dream

In my youth we lived in a small apartment in Chicago. We took public transportation; couldn’t afford a car. Our summer entertainment was a walk to Lincoln Park Zoo or the beach at Lake Michigan.

In school we were regularly introduced to first-generation legal immigrant students; primarily from Poland, Italy, Germany and Ireland. They lived in their ethnic neighborhoods, but we all got along. Immigrant families would buy a small 3-flat, live in the basement and rent out the upstairs apartments.

In 7th grade three generations of our family moved into a home in the suburbs. A few years later, my parents, well into their forties, bought their first home – two bedrooms, one bath, under 1000 square feet. I was the only licensed driver when they bought a car; providing their taxi service for almost a year.

I chuckled when Investopedia reported:

“How to Measure the American Dream

Today, homeownership is frequently cited as an example of attaining the American dream. It is a symbol of financial success and independence, and it means the ability to control one’s own dwelling place instead of being subject to the whims of a landlord.”

I’ve never forgotten discussing my American Dream in 1958:

“I was a senior, Sally was a freshman. We would hold hands and walk to the small lake on the other side of her family’s farm. The bank was angled, and we would lean back and stare at the distant sky and cloud formations. Sally (Name is changed but the story is real) was my high school sweetheart who I still hold fondly in my heart.

I was about to graduate from high school and leave home. We discussed, ‘What’s life really all about?’ It was the first time I remember peering over the horizon, actually wondering about adulthood. I emphatically declared I want ‘A nice little house with a white picket fence‘.

…. Ten days after graduation I headed off to the Marine Corps.

…. My boyhood dreams of a loving family and ‘A nice little house with a white picket fence’ represented the traditional American Dream. A loving family, plus true financial and emotional freedom.

…. The simple part of the dream was being content with a comfortable, but not necessarily lavish lifestyle. Ozzie and Harriet were not rich, but they sure looked like a happy family.”

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What’s changed since then?

Some confuse the American Dream with owning “stuff” as opposed to personal independence; free from government interference or being indebted to others.

I visited my great-grandmother’s farm, well into her 90’s. We sat on the front porch snapping beans and she told me how excited she was when they got a cistern and didn’t need the outhouse. One of my daily jobs was taking a pail outside, cranking the pump handle, lugging drinking water into the house.

I helped my grandmother use the clothes wringer and then go outside, summer or winter, and hang the clothes out to dry. It was an exciting day when my parents saved enough money for Sears to deliver our first clothes dryer.

The industrial revolution, scientific and technological advances have improved lives of everyone, regardless of social class. The basics of survival have become much easier, freeing up time for other things.

My grandchildren dreamed of getting their own Apple phone; what will their children and grandchildren dream of?

The Obstacles

While the American Dream is an idea that is possible, many forget that it is achieved through hard work “according to ability – the fullest stature of which they are innately capable.” Several of my immigrant friends also became suburban homeowners – proudly bragging all their children went to college.

Not everyone will progress at the same rate, or in one lifetime. Immigrants were very proud that each successive generation of their family continued to move up the social ladder.

Our country hasn’t been perfect. All are not equal when there is discrimination. It took some time for slavery to be abolished, women being allowed to vote, and the Equal Rights Amendment added to the Constitution.

Most of today’s youth have the opportunity for advanced education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Sadly, the education system has become one of the worst in the world.

While government has moved toward equality, many politicians have championed their cause to the extreme.

• Bill Clinton forced banks to make home loans to minorities who were financially unqualified, leading to the 2008 banking crisis. Our country has still not fully recovered.
• Politicians attempted to engineer equality of outcome. Discrimination against, or in favor of, any hiring or promotion candidate is illegal. “Ability and achievement” are the only true “equal opportunity.”

Subscriber Bob G. sent me an article regarding our “Broken Medical System.” He added, “This makes me question capitalism.” I responded:

“No doubt the system is broken. Doug Casey would explain the minute the government tries to engineer, or get involved in the free market, we step away from true capitalism and end up with ‘crony capitalism.’

I’m of two minds. I am a believer in capitalism with some controls – like the trust-busting days of old. Businesses can get too big, undercut prices, destroy their competition, and then really screw over the public.

I’ve traveled a good bit in the world and never found another type of government or economic system I’d prefer over what we have – warts and all.”

My octogenarian dream….

Over my 85 years, America has made many positive changes. Like the first-generation immigrants….

• I dream of future generations living in a society with limited government, no government corruption, and an opportunity to fulfill their dreams to the best of their ability – as long as they don’t harm others.
• I dream of a country where the government doesn’t meddle or interfere, and allows future generations equal opportunity, without a crippling debt burden left behind by their elders.

Enacting congressional term limits and limiting government power would be a great first step.

One man’s opinion….

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Quote Of The Week…

“The path from dreams to success does exist.

May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”

— Kalpana Chawla, Astronaut

And Finally…

Jo found some Facebook Wisdom using car acronyms….

• FIAT – Failed Italian Auto Technology
• FORD – For Only Rough Drivers
• HYUNDAI- Hope You Understand Nothing’s Drivable And Inexpensive
• VOLVO- Very Odd Looking Vehicular Object
• PORCHE- Proof Of Rich Spoiled Children Having Everything
• OPEL- Old People Enjoying Life
• TOYOTA – The One You Only Trust Always
• BMW – Big Money Waste
• AUDI – An Unwanted Debt Invitation
• MERCEDES – Maximum Enthusiasm, Recurring Cost, Ego Developed, Expensive Style
• JEEP – Just Engineering Executed Poorly
• LEXUS – Luxury, Entertainment, X-factor, Ultra Smooth
• CHEVROLET – Cracked Heads, Every Valve Rattles, Oil Leaks, Electrical Troubles
• BENTLEY – Best Exhibition Nightly To Lust Every Yuppie
• CHRYSLER – Company Has Recommended You Start Learning Engine Repair
• CADILLAC – Certified As Detroit’s Inadequate, Lumbering, Luxury, Automotive Catastrophe
• CORVETTE – Confirmation Old Romeos Vow Every Time To Excite

And my favorite…

• HONDA – Happy Owner Now Driving Away

Until next time…

Dennis Miller

“Economic independence is the foundation of the only sort of freedom worth a damn.” – H. L. Mencken

 

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