The American dream

[bigquestion]

Does anybody know the social, cltural and historical basis for the american dream

[Skids]

The Constitution.  The American dream is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (not Fruit of the Loom).

Probably.

[Grunty]

Americans believe that absolutely anybody can become President.  The trouble is that they can't stop proving it.

[jno]

I believe foreign-born people (eg Arnold Schwarzenegger) cna't become president. But the country was the first one founded as a reaction to the perceived wickednesses of other countries, so notions of individual liberty have always been part of the dream. (Though some would say the Pilgrim Fathers just went there so they could escape British religious persecution and set up some of their own.)

[Bob A Job]

I thought the American dream was that absolutley anyone, regardless of inteligence, race, social status, can take advantage of other human beings misfortune and gain wealth, power and then think that they are doing it for the common good.

[Octavius]

To quote my bible on such matters...

"The American Dream is the idea (often associated with the Protestant work ethic) held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American Dream has become is a question under constant discussion."

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