by Nick Somoski

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: December 12, 2010

North America was built on immigrants who came seeking a better way of life for their families. They left overcrowded, under-nourished countries, where poverty and communistic governments drained them of their life's blood. Starting over in a new land, a vast untouched frontier of sorts, would give them opportunities beyond their wildest dreams, if they were willing to work for it.

As time grew on and the country was showing so much promise and progress, life became better for so many. There was no shortage, and the pay was far better than what they had left behind in their homelands. The governments were fairer to the people, and importantly, freedom existed. Their children received better educations and it gave them hope that things would only continue to get better as each new generation came along. It became the American Dream.

My ancestors came over to the United States from Poland. My great grandfather was one of them. I remember hearing stories of how they were dirt poor, but found jobs to support their family unit. And as time went on, some of my ancestors worked harder than others, and the family unit separated. My grandfather came out of that generation a hardworking young man, ready to get his life started. My father was a generation later, and both were the same way: both hardworking individuals with beautiful families, modest wealth, and success. And they truly did have the American Dream.

Everyday, Americans dream of what their future can be, of what they'll someday be, and what they'll be able to reflect upon in later years. Americans of all races and ethnicities have some sort of picture in their mind of what their life can someday be; it's the American Dream, and we all wish it. But, how realistic is this dream of happiness and wealth? Is it true that there are chances for all people to become rich? And in today's generation, is it even possible to get the futures we've always dreamed of? Honestly, I'm not so sure.

There are many reasons why the American Dream is not realistic to everyone. It is still alive and breathing fire into the hearts and minds of the unknowing gullible American population, but that doesn't mean it's possible, or it's going to happen. Sure, everyone in America has the possibilities of achieving their dreams, but that doesn't mean everyone will achieve it. It doesn't even mean everyone will want to achieve it.

Americans who think like this normally cite the reasons of inequality, prejudice, and poverty as set-backs for

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