Reflecting on the American Dream
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's one of the few that doesn't involve commercialism and religion--just family, friends, and bountiful food, paying a fitting tribute to the American ideals of productivity and prosperity.
It's a time to reflect on what we as a nation have achieved since the United States was founded. Our success is no accident. Our Puritan founders instilled in us hard work, determination, and self reliance--creating the American Dream of rising to greatness through productivity.
Over the last couple decades the American Dream has morphed into a powerful marketing tool to sell products ranging from fancy cars to oversized homes--things that Americans think they need to gain upward mobility. Lately this has come too easily for our society, resulting in extravagant expectations about what can be achieved.
Although our excess has led to record levels of debt and poverty, Americans have unshakable faith in the principles of our Dream of hard work and opportunity. This Thanksgiving, let's reflect on our accomplishments and be thankful for our success. The road ahead looks long, but the American Dream remains alive and well.
