by K. Russell

Created on: March 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 17, 2010

The Constitution defines the American Dream as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." These precepts may seem simple enough on the surface but, like most things in life, they really are not that simple.

Life is pretty straight forward. Given the right to life, abortion issue aside, citizens are told they have the right to go about their business unmolested, that they can work to own their own home, save their money for a rainy day without fear of theft and walk down the street in relative safety. For the most part, especially when compared with other countries around the world, Americans enjoy a surprisingly safe society, with occasional exceptions. Bad neighborhoods, bad choices and bad individuals are the only real threats to our lives, outside of accidents and natural disasters.

Liberty is a bit trickier. Many people would say they are very protective of their own liberty. This is not entirely accurate in light of the current political mudslide of lost personal freedoms and civil rights. Where people once vehemently protected their freedom, they have relinquished more than they realize by asking law makers to pass legislation against people whose liberties are seen as offensive or inconvenient. By handing someone else's freedom over to Congress, citizens often do not realize that they themselves have lost a piece of their own freedom, as well.

The pursuit of happiness is different for every individual. To some, happiness means working or shopping, to others it means smoking a cigarette with their drink in a bar, for still others, happiness means sunbathing nude at the beach or using recreational drugs. Many individuals find it very hard to tolerate choices that are different from their own. There is an old American saying that states, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death your right to say it." This sentiment has been erased as lawmakers point to "public safety" as a catch-all excuse to steal yet another freedom, in spite of the laws protecting our persons and our property already on the books.

The American Dream is about liberty and justice for all and it requires our constant attention and active involvement. So much of the American Dream has been lost to the very individuals sworn to protect that freedom. Their public distain for justice goes ignored by millions as the American Dream falls just as completely as the Empire of Rome.

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