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The American Dream

The American Dream
America, the land of the free and home of the brave. A country which prides itself upon claiming that people from all walks of life can gain wealth and success. This hope or dream is the reason this great nation has thrived and prospered during such a short existence. Millions have fled their homelands in search of something better. Possessing little more than a strong faith and developed dreams that someday they might live under better circumstances, they might become better people, and leave behind a grander legacy for future generations. Each year, the "American dream" brings success to hundreds and troubles to thousands. If a person is willing to get an education, work hard, and redefine success, not only on the bases of monetary wealth; this is the meaning of the “real” American dream. However, if people are caught up in greed, envy, and prejudice; the “real” American dream becomes a nightmare.
The same dream which constantly betters so many individuals and provides such a strong foundation upon which our freedoms and our constitution was formed, can quickly change to a nightmare when impatient dreamers decide to take effortless short cuts in order to achieve their wealth and success. Often the vision of wealth becomes so obsessive that a person loses all thought of ethics, moral values and self control. Greed quickly takes the wheel, steering the once productive citizen on a path which leads towards greed, hate, and self destruction. They become convinced that money can solve anything and be blinded by greed and visions of wealth. They picture a world free of stress and worries; a world filled with luxurious comforts, recognition, and most of all happiness. When a person reaches this stage, there is little hope. Their greed must be fed by obtaining wealth and power at all cost and in the quickest way possible. It is this complex addiction which has driven thousands into drugs, fraud, embezzlement, gambling, cheating, and sometimes even...