Any fool who wants to bring a moist eye to the hoi polloi need only invoke the "American Dream". It's the holy grail, the perfect concept, the ultimate answer to all of life's questions. It's what we're supposed to live for, and die for. I have one question. What the hell is it? Is it riches beyond understanding? Fame that knows no bounds? Power beyond limit?
All of the above? Huh? Tell me.
To my way of thinking, if it's any of those things it's just empty bullshit and not worth even thinking about. Now, if the American Dream were to create a society where every individual had a shot and living life to his own best lights, where every child could have a good education, where there sick could find healing, the weak help and protection, and where kindness and compassion were the guiding ideas of the nation, I'd have some time for a dream like that. But that's not it is it? Not even close.
The American Dream is, on the face of the evidence, to create a nation where those willing to give up any notion of compassion and egalitarianism and put on the right suit can become obscenely wealthy, famous, or powerful. Americans hate a level playing field, no matter how much they blather on about wanting one. Americans like loaded dice. The present spectacle of Charlie Sheen using up the airwaves to spout his inane insanity and overweening vanity to all, while some very important shit is happening around the world, is proof of what I'm saying. That someone that devoid of soul, gravitas, and importance could take up as much of the national consciousness as he as has is nothing short of a national disgrace.
Everyone needs a laugh now and then, and Mr. Sheen is providing that. I realize that constant concentration on the endless problems that face us can wear a person out. I'm all for turning down the lights, turning up the music and cracking open a bottle of the good stuff. But every single day should also contain some truth, some poetry, some real common sense. And every time I hear that phrase- "The American Dream"- I dread what snake oil the speaker will be selling in its name. The whole thing is delusional.
The wing nuts claim to be standing up for the "constitution" and the "American Dream". Everyone does. Seems to me, a thoughtful reconsideration of what the phrase means now, and what it should mean, is in order. I'll bet a lot of you have a proper definition for the phrase. I'd be interested to hear what they are.