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What does the American dream mean to you?
Asked at Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway on June 29, 2009
“To me, that phrase really doesn’t have much meaning. It’s just too subjective.”
“Opportunity to reach any goal you want.”
“Security, happiness and a job.”
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Comments
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igby (anonymous) says…
In 200 AD, the same was ask of Rome's citizens and the same BS was belched out.
Rome, fell by the way!
America is only 200 plus years old and may not make it to the middle of this century.
hujiko (anonymous) says…
The right to disagree
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
To have all lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams be full of hungry fish.... and fish clean themselves.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
Freedom from government tyranny. And the opportunity to own a '65 Mustang ragtop, chromed up with a a 289 purrin'.
labmonkey (anonymous) says…
The American Dream died January 21, 2009.
prospector (anonymous) says…
That bus left along time ago.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Fast cars, faster women and good whiskey. Not necessarily in that order.
Dateable_Shelter_Dude (anonymous) says…
Each kid has his own room. And his own tv. Phone. Nintendo. Computer.Guitar hero.Encyclopedia Britannicas.Two guitar heros so a friend can play. Another computer so you can do two things at once. Dad by me a car when I'm 16. And another one when I wreck that one. And the next one too. My bad, Dad, sorry.A laptop and Ipod for college. And he pays to send me to college so I can major in philosophy or performance art and live in downtown Lawrence. Maybe in an upstairs apartment where I can live vegan and shop at the Farmer's Market but only if they will take Dad's credit card, otherwise I have to go to the Merc. As you can tell that didn't happen as I didn't have a Dad, Mom just let some dude get too close with a bottle rocket.
monkeyhawk (anonymous) says…
Mexico.
storm (anonymous) says…
Depending on which country on the American continent, I'd say safe drinking water.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…
Individuality within a muti-cultural community. The right to vote. Open communication between officials and the citizens.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
To be able to buy liquor, ammo and tobacco at the same drive-thru window and use them all before I get home.
brotherskeeper (anonymous) says…
You guys must be a blast to have a beer with and talk about your futures. Dreams of any sort seem to have walked right out on a majority of people posting here. (Yes, I know I am just not ready to face the super secret truth that everything is terrible.)
BMI (anonymous) says…
brotherskeeper must be fresh meat. Let drive around with him on the hood of the truck for a while until he too gets old and tainted. :)
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…
What farfle said
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
________________________________
Wish they had added cleaning up our factually dangerous streets before trying to clean up the world's allegedly dangerous air.
ohjayhawk (anonymous) says…
A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage, and a Klondike bar in every freezer.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Klondike bars now have a thicker chocolate shell. God bless America!
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Good one, blue.
autie (anonymous) says…
American Dream? The tub of Ben and Jerry's with Stephen Colbert on it. It's OK but not as good as Willie Nelson peach cobbler.
flux (anonymous) says…
Live off welfare and not work
bankboy119 (anonymous) says…
"Security, happiness and a job.”
Unfortunately that is the American Dream. Thomas Jefferson penned it as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Also, I believe Ben Franklin would agree with me in taking liberty over security any day.
Catzilla (anonymous) says…
Free to be me.
jayhawklawrence (anonymous) says…
I never thought the main point was money.
I have always thought of the American Dream as a composition of our ideals as a nation and our respect for the divine nature and value of each individual.
Working hard and striving for excellence are rewarded in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
To pay cash for anything I want.
imahickerbilly (anonymous) says…
I always dreamed of growing old and fat!! i am truly living my dream!!
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Sort of a heavy question for a Monday. Yes, the American Dream... um, a nice marketing slogan which worked nicely for many years, but needs to be updated. Somewhere along the line, becoming successful and content became a bad thing.
RManFlint (anonymous) says…
Say, Brett, the words "to you" implies subjectivity.
Duh.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
Peace, free love, and margaritas?
gogoplata (anonymous) says…
Liberty.
Freedom from big government.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…
The question is, what is the American Dream?
Obviously there is no such thing, each poster is giving their own version of what they want.
Or cracking wise.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
The question is 'what does the American Dream mean to you?', Irish. Obviously it's subjective.
tony88 (anonymous) says…
consume 'til you explode
merrill (anonymous) says…
*Replacing 95% of incumbents in Washington D.C, next election
*a new system and vote in Fair Vote America : http://www.fairvote.org/irv/
Demand a change on the next ballot.
*public financing of campaigns. Citizens cannot afford special interest money campaigns for it is the citizens that get left out. Let citizens vote on this issue.
http://www.publicampaign.org/
*New cleaner energy sources that cost less money with more jobs for all that which cannot be outsourced
*Healthcare for All minus the fraudulent corporations along with their bought and paid for politicians
* All college loans are forgiven by the federal government instead of throwing more tax dollars to the white collar crooks
*When the city of Lawrence repairs curbs it creates an 18" concrete path for cyclists
* Knowing most all who stay in Lawrence will enjoy themselves this July 3,4 and 5 as the cyclist race,food,music and dancing get on with it accompanied by fireworks on the river.
Easy_Does_It (anonymous) says…
Stuff and things.
bad_dog (anonymous) says…
"Klondike bars now have a thicker chocolate shell. God bless America!"-blue73harley
Hey blue, please note that it is now advertised as a "chocolatey shell" rather than merely chocolate. I'm not sure what that means, but it can't be as good as just plain old chocolate.
Guess I'll have to go do some research...
uncleandyt (anonymous) says…
Life's an illusion, Love is the dream
woodenfleaeater (anonymous) says…
Two chicks at the same time
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
The American dream is that state which precludes American consciousness.
jayhawklawrence (anonymous) says…
For Christians, the American Dream will always be considered a product of Christian ideals.
But those ideals do not just originate in Christianity. They are shared by all the major religions and therefore, we still have the power to inspire the world toward peace and common purpose.
When we stop believing that America is something beautiful and special and capable of making the world a better place for all, then I think America will not be America anymore.
If you have lost that vision, you need to find it.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…
jaywalker you are right, I am wrong.
New American Dream, think before I type.
No offense meant jayhawklawrence, but isn't believing that America is capable of making the world a better place for ALL, the thinking that got us into Iraq, why some want us in Iran, Afghanistan, etc.
I say the American Dream is for Americans.
The French dream for France.
English dream for England.
Etc.etc.etc.
Did_I_say_that (DIST) says…
woodenfleaeater (Anonymous) says…
"Two chicks at the same time"
So, now you want to be a double-size yellow and orange beach towel?
denak (anonymous) says…
A self cleaning oven.....
oh and Rights that the majority of the world only dream about
Dateable_Shelter_Dude (anonymous) says…
Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…jaywalker you are right, I am wrong.
New American Dream, think before I type.
Doesn't get any better than that.
woodenfleaeater (Anonymous) says…Two chicks at the same time
If a woman wrote that, or wanted two guys some people couldn't handle it.
But if she did write that on here she knows how to contact me. I could find a beach towel. I still have my dreams.
soldier1 (anonymous) says…
The freedom to live your life
SandCoAlmanac (anonymous) says…
Excess in everything and everything in excess.
jayhawklawrence (anonymous) says…
Irish, I don't think the Iraq adventure represented what America is all about.
The global effort to take better care of the planet is a better example.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.