The American Dream is the idea held by many in the United States of America that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American Dream has become is a question under constant discussion, and some believe that it has led to an overemphasis on comparative material wealth as the only measure of success and happiness.
To the many immigrants who have flocked here in the past and continue to do so, the American Dream means much more. It means freedom and liberty. An escape from tyranny and inhumane treatment. The ability to make their own decisions, without government interference. The right to speak up when they feel the need to, without the fear of inprisonment or even death.
It fills them with hope. Hope for a better future for their children, without the hardships that many of them were forced to grow up with.
There are a lot of people in this world who have dreams of coming to America. For many of them, the dream keeps them alive, doing what they can to try and fulfill that dream. America is their last bastion of hope. For most, this is only a dream, that will go unfulfilled.
A lot of Americans, those of us who were born here, take our country for granted. For many, the above statement, overemphasis on comparative material wealth as the only measure of success and happiness, is true. But as the March on DC proved, millions are waking up.
Yesterdays rally was about a lot more than just taxes.
It was about freedom and liberty. In fact, the biggest argument against the health care bill (besides the cost), is about our right to choose. It is about our freedom to make our own decisions. Because without those rights and freedoms, money means nothing.
Our country has gone through some serious financial hardships. The Great Depression, even during WWII. And although it was very difficult at times for people to see it through each day, they were for the most part, happy to be here. America would recover and they knew it. It would take hard work and sacrifice, but it would happen. Why? Because America was worth it.
It wasn't material wealth that made America worth it. It was the freedom and liberty.
America witnessed the largest conservative rally in the history of the United States yesterday. And this definitely means something. If a poll were taken of the participants, I am willing to bet that at a minimum, 85% had never been involved in any type of protest.
The final sentence spoken at the rally was "Washington, can you hear us now?"
They better be listening. To manage to get that many conservatives, that riled up. Leave their telephone calls and letter writing behind and go out in droves to do what has historically been a Democrat behavior, is saying something.
There must be a couple of people in the White House who fully appreciate its significance. Over a million people stopped taking what we have here for granted and marched to Washington, to prove it. The sleeping lion has been woken from its slumber and I doubt it will ever go back to sleep.
They did it once, they will do it again. One of the speakers yesterday said something to the effect of, "Obama, we now have over a million community organizers".
Additional comment:
I do agree with Culturist Johns comment regarding the "nasty" immigrants. Those who come here to mean us harm or just take advantage of what we offer, without giving anything back. My post does not include them, obviously they could give a damn about the values I state.
But, the vast majority of the immigrants in our history, are our ancestors. And without them, we would not be here, enjoying and fighting for the country we love.
10 comments:
Hi Christine!!
I like your description of what the protestors valued. I am not, however, so sanguine about the connection between freedom and immigration.
That used to be the argument by historians. Until they discovered that a third of them in the early 20th went back home when they had enough money. Certainly Jews were persecuted and stayed. A Jew wrote the statue of liberty poem. But Italians often felt "freer" and more comfortable back home.
And, Al Quaida operatives coming here certainly do not come to value our freedom. Furthermore, in pockets all across Europe and in America, immigrants are setting up enclaves where the values of freedom are being thwarted. They're here for the money.
Throw in the fact that many just love work and welfare and couldn't give a flying F about whether or not the often hated US survives and there are many exceptions to your rule.
However, I am sure that some come here just for freedom.
I fully agree with you in regards to those you mention. I am only speaking of the few, who truly do value our country and wish to become US citizens.
Included in the above are our ancestors.
Great essay, Christine.
Check that out, now John is noticing you are writing some of the best stuff at our site.
You have really been on fire lately.
:)
Pastorius,
Your bringing Christine to my attention has made my consciousness bloom. Thanks!
Christine,
Let us not forget that many of our ancestors were not immigrants. Up until 1970 a huge portion of our people came from colonists. And, many that touched down in the East went quickly on becoming frontiers folk. Do not buy into the 'we are all descendants of immigrants' line.
When they say "we're a nation of immigrants" another good reply is, "I'm not one." My parents weren't. My grandparents weren't. They'll reply, but your greatgrandparents were. Yes. But that means we are a nation that has had immigrants. But after that first generation none of the families are immigrants. We're long standing citizens for life.
That's my new catch phrase. We're a nation of long-standing citizens for life.
Thanks for the stimulating post!!
CJ
Good stuff, John.
Here's another one, though I don't think you will like this one as much.
We are a nation of people who fought and killed people to take this land we live on, just like every other people and nation in the history of the world.
We're a nation of long-standing citizens for life. Yes, I guess that is another way to look at it.
Blooming consciousness's? Yep, especially when I tick people off. lol
Ha!
Well said, Christine.
Culturist John does not really agree with you and I on this subject.
Truth is, he is just more nuanced in his approach.
Actually, I could probably outnuance him on this subject.
Culturist John,
I challenge you to a battle of nuance, to the point where one of us turns in and swallows ourself like a snake eating it's own tail.
I call your nuance level and raise you by calling it a "venomous snake." (This could get dangerous)
"We are a nation of people who fought and killed people to take this land we live on, just like every other people and nation in the history of the world."
- Way totally classic and rad. So brutal and true!!! Sometimes its better to leave the nuance off! Powerful stuff.
I'm challenging you to a duel of nuance on the After Party Radio Show.
It's a fight to the end of Eastern Civilization.
;-)
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