I didn't know where to post it so I'm posting it here (sorry!)

So... do you believe in the American Dream? If so, why? What makes you think it's true? If you don't believe, also explain why.

Heyyy, im new here. First post on the website. (:

It's an idea i like the sound of, to be honest. The prospect of being able to get anywhere i want in life appeals to me majorly. I mean, noone has the right to oppress anyone into doing anything they dont want to. With the American Dream, theres only you. Theres no one to tell you what to do. Unless you break the law while trying to do i suppose, ha.

But do i beleive in it? Yes, and no. Some people have been able to live The American Dream, and now are in places where they've always wanted to be. Richard Branston left school at 16 with low GCSE grades...Now he owns a freaking island, haha. So yeah, in some ways it works. However, for some people it's just an oasis on the horizon. For example, if you were a member of a third world country that was being ruled by a dictator of military leadership, it would be nearly impossible to live the Dream, due to everyone stopping you by lavishing in the Dream themselves (e.g the system that had its foot on your head.) So it's a two way road really..

One good book to read about the American Dream is Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by the late Hunter S Thompson. It's about two men who hire a fast car full of drugs and go to Vegas in search of the Dream. It's an interesting view on the whole idea, and also hilarious

So yeah, thats my opinion. Looking forward to spending more time here. (:

So I've been thinking about this, and I still don't have an answer. To me, I guess the American Dream varies, but overall it has to do with a combination of two things: a version of freedom and materialism. In that essence, then yes, a version of the American Dream does exist, but is not always accessible to everyone as materialism involves money and American "freedom" involves money, and not everyone has enough money to achieve the American Dream.

In the idea of the white picket fence, 2 story house, lawn, 2 kids (1 boy, 1 girl) and a constant pregnancy (have to account for the .5 kid somehow), etc, I think that's just a representation of what America used to be and could be, but either way it still shows the underlying theme of materialism which is, essentially, the American Dream even if it's not really a dream.