by Frederick A. Babb

Created on: March 29, 2008   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

The American Dream had a fame that filled the minds of the youngest people around the world. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to use the verb "have" in past tense. The American Dream that many desired to pursue has long been dead. The pallbearers of the seven deadly sins of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride carried it to its grave. Having fallen ill sometime between World War II and the Vietnam Conflict, it made a slight recovery during the 1980s before taking a turn for the worse in the late 90s, only to expire shortly after 11 September 2001.

History has a tendency of repeating itself and man is the only animal capable of tripping on the same stone twice. These two components are the basic elements as to why the American dream is no longer with us. It is man's destiny to fail to remember their roots and the struggle for freedom when they have more than they need. Somewhere along the route of pursuing happiness, the struggle was forgotten. In America, that destiny is playing out before the international eyes.

The American dream was once thought to be a belief that a person had the freedom to achieve any goal they may have through hard work in the United States of America. Goals were usually success at one's trait and raising a respectable family in a respectable neighbourhood. However, success in one's goals today means having access to the seven deadly sins mentioned. The desire to have and to control are the driving force of succeeding, tarnishing the very core of what was the American dream.

Hard work has been deleted from the American dream formula. It was replaced long ago with the short cuts of depriving others of their riches through stealing, deceiving or pursuing the avenue of scams. The era of inventions that Thomas Edison lived in seems to be an epoch of history which resists repeating. Copying and stealing ideas from others is easier these days. In short, the ambition to succeed on one's ability is no longer an option.

Those who don't succeed in the new pursuit of happiness don't pursue the old American dream. It is less complicated to play the victim than to strive in bettering one's self through sacrifice. This comes from the mindset that "not succeeding" needs to be justified. Playing the race, sex or "product of my environment" cards are easier to deal out than stepping up to the plate of self-respect.

As such, and with much sadness, it is time to accept the rumor and move on. The American Dream has died. There are no heirs to the throne. The people of the world will now follow the corrupt ways of their leaders, or live in repression with no hope and no dream of someday being somebody. Those that lived the American Dream, and then abused it, will not be available to lend you a helping hand during your mourning. Sometimes the reality of life makes accepting the truth cruel.

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