I want it my way

The New Definition Of The American Dream

- I Want It My Way -

"I want What I want, When I want it and How I want it".  This Progressive attitude reflects a new definition of The American Dream being proposed by some of our contemporary culture.  Recently I have seen behavior that exemplifies this attitude.

How many of you have seen video of the "Occupy Wall Street" gathering?  I looked on the website moveon.org where they proudly support the crowds and saw photographs of healthy adults holding the following two signs.

Personally, I have three adult children who reached college age in 2003 and 2004. One of my children chose to accumulate some debt through student loans.  She received her Bachelors Degree in Engineering in three years and her Masters in four.  Her hard work provided her with job offers before graduation, she immediately went to work and currently she is ahead of schedule in paying her student loans.  One of my children decided before attending college to only pursue her continuing education in a situation where she would graduate with no debt.  She earned some financial help through scholarships and completed her Bachelors Degree in Mathematics with zero debt upon graduation.  One chose not to go to college and entered the workforce where he started with entry-level work and is pursuing advancement.

As my children pursue The American Dream, each of them must define for themselves what dream they are pursuing.  Where their dreams include financial rewards for their efforts, they understand that the financial rewards they receive will be in direct parallel with the results they accomplish for an employer or the amount of benefit they provide to society.  Hard work, conservative financial decisions, accumulating little or no debt and years of diligence are necessary ingredients in pursuit of The Genuine American Dream.

We have a society that is encouraging our young people to expect government to either provide for them everything they want or to define for them what dream they can pursue.  Let us all unite under the banner of promoting an environment of opportunity for all of our citizens at all ages where personal responsibility is required not protested against.

Personal responsibility shows itself in those who are personally doing something that helps their neighbors and themselves.  Personal responsibility is never defined by the example of those who ask others to do for them that which they can do for themselves.  Taking care of one's responsibilities means that the things you desire will take a back seat to keeping your word, paying your own way and following the rules.

* I truly enjoy all of your comments so please continue to contact me at the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

___________________________________________________________

" Those who want to take from our government programs without contributing have been enticed by our government with policies that include free healthcare and education without any personal responsibility."

[Nick Streza. PROGRESS IN AMERICA, Redefining The American Dream, (Tate Publishing 2011), pages 236]

• < Prev
• Next >