Comparing The American Dream In 2000

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“Almost two-thirds say they live paycheck to paycheck, and 47% say that no matter how hard they work, they cannot get ahead” (Wallechinsky 56). The American Dream is America’s promise of adventure and new opportunities for immigrants, visitors, and citizens alike. For people looking from the outside perspective, it may seem that every American is living the American Dream. This is not always the case. Americans shoot for the stars and that is what has gotten them to where they are, but aiming high can allow a lot of room for failure and disappointment. The standard of living goes up as the country develops because people can never be satisfied when they think they can have more. Due to this, the American Dream in 2000 is drastically different …show more content…
Immigrants come to the United States from all over the world to achieve the American Dream. This is allowed by the United States Constitution. In the former president Franklin D. Roosevelt´s speech “The Four Freedoms,” Roosevelt speaks about how Americans are born with rights that should be protected. He says, “We should plan a better system by which persons deserving or needing gainful employment may obtain it” (Roosevelt 43). This shows that the government cares for its citizens and their right to the American Dream. Roosevelt’s tone suggests that he plans to make changes as necessary for the betterment of lives and so that people can still look for the American Dream instead of settling for less. Also, the Declaration of Independence was written to recognize the United States’ freedom from oppression. Another thing the document recognizes is that people are all equal. Therefore, everyone should have the equal opportunity to chase after their dreams (Jefferson 59). Despite the dream seeming to be a distant goal, America attempts to help push people forward so that they can achieve the success that comes with the American …show more content…
After graduating from high school, many people are forced to work the jobs that no one else wants like at a McDonald’s as a cashier for minimum wage because a person with a high school diploma pales in comparison to someone who went to a university and finished their Master’s degree. On the other hand, post-secondary education is costly and most students take out loans which set them behind financially when they begin their life out from under their parent’s wing. Also, a degree does not mean job security. To elaborate, one person may graduate with hundreds of other students in the same field, which means hundreds of other student competing for the same job with the same credentials. Keeping a job after finding one is also difficult. With businesses constantly closing, nothing is permanent. David Wallechinsky’s article “Is the American Dream Still Possible?” recounts the experiences of four families struggling after job loss and financial difficulties. One family in particular consists of a couple whose names are Randy and Cherie. They worked as flight attendants at TWA until they were fired along with many of their coworkers after the airline was bought by another company. Finding another job should have been easy for Randy and Cherie who went to college, but they
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