The American Dream

It is my belief that historically "The American Dream" represents the United States as a beacon of liberty, prosperity, and a life free from prejudice that enables all citizens an equal opportunity for happiness based on individual effort and love. All Americans should be given the opportunity to make their own choices without restrictions such as class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic background. In a nutshell: "Success", "Success", Success". The Puritans believed that American prosperity meant meeting nutritional and spiritual levels to obtain overall happiness. We as Americans have only to look at our forefathers and the creation of the Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are created equal" and that they are" endowed with certain inalienable Rights".
In the novel "Fear and Loathing" Hunter S. Thompson meantions the phrase "rags to riches" quite often in association with gambling and life in Las Vegas. In addition, Mister Thompson relates to his audience a gentlemen named Horacio Alger. Upon researching Mister Alger, I learned that he was the prototypical 'rags to riches" author of his time in tne 19th century. Many immigrants have come to the United States with aspirations of a better life for themselves and their children. A great number of these immigrants have come from very diverse backgrounds and often from extremely difficult circumstances. Would you risk death to have a chance at prosperity and happiness? I certainly would if I were walking in their shoes. That is if they have shoes to walk in!
I was told as a child to get and education and work hard and anything was possible. Certainly citizens of the United States today are from many cultures and have many religious preferences, but do all individuals actually get treated the same way? I don't believe so! Every culture in our country is prejudiced against from some group or individual at some time. It is very disturbing that our forefathers and immigrants to this land of opportunity made all of these incredible efforts to make an attempt at conquering "The American Dream" and we have lost site of the true importance of this dream. Oh for the education and love again! We as Americans are very blessed to have the oppurtunity each and everyday to create our own destiny.