The American Dream 3 Essay, Research Paper

The forefathers of our great nation established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Well, today we have liberty and are free to pursue happiness. However, what about the quality of our lives? Are we striving for greater material wealth and ignoring moral and social responsibility? I believe we are. The American Dream of the new millennium must transcend the previously established boundaries set forth by the founding fathers of our country. We must demand greater integrity from our leaders, more equality for all segments of the population, and a system of healthcare and help for the underprivileged.

The people of the United States must demand greater integrity from our leaders. Naturally, the strict adherence of this revered moralistic principle by our leaders will filter down to the rest of our society and create a favorable atmosphere. The American society expects and deserves honesty from their appointed political figures. We have endured the Iran Contra scandal during the Reagan administration. Currently, our President has had extramarital affairs with government employees as well as various other women. The Clinton administration has had us suffer through Whitewater, Travelgate, and the seemingly unnecessary bombing of Yugoslavia. In order for our youth to grow up with respect for America, as well as earn respect from other nations, scenarios such as these must not occur in the future. Our democracy was not founded on false principles, and in order for it to survive, our leaders must abide by a higher set of moral standards and truths.

Morality should have the same definition for all Americans, black and white, rich and poor alike. Consequently, there should be equality for all segments of the population. In our society today, there are too many rifts among many different ethnic groups that divide the people. It seems that blacks have their own agenda, Hispanics another, and so on and so on. This behavior and attitude of these ethnic groups is prompted much of the time by the white attitude towards these races. Religions are also subject to the ideas of one being inferior to another. All our citizens must be viewed and treated as equals under the law because they are already considered equal before God. Our nation was created as an indivisible entity under God. If we don t learn to live together in harmony and as equals, our nation will be divided.

The cement that will hold our society together is the peace of mind that the government will give in the form of aid to the less fortunate. This financial assistance includes low cost living facilities, money for food, and most importantly, healthcare. Another hot issue on Capitol Hill is the funding of social security. It is my belief that social security should not be tampered with at all, because the monies paid in by America s hard-working people should rightfully come back to them at a stage in their life when it is most needed. If all the people of this country, young and old alike, cannot have the confidence in their lives to be supplemented if needed to obtain life s necessities, then we have created a flawed society. America is in the best financial condition it has ever been in. All its citizens should share in this prosperity. A non-socialistic coherent system of help for the needy is required. We will all be able to lead a more peaceful existence if the underprivileged of our society are taken care of. No one ever became poor from giving charity.

It is up to our present leaders and youth to contribute their ideas and give their hearts and souls to their country so that America can strive in the 21st century to reach the American Dream. Through honest efforts and sincere deeds by ourselves and our political figures, there will be equality for all segments of the population, and the impoverished will be taken care of. A great uniformity in the quality of life will arise in our culture and America will become more peaceful and a closer knit society. When these acts of brotherhood and unselfishness permeate our world, then we will all be able to experience the true American Dream.