The (New) American Dream: Persuasive Paper America, the land of the free and home of the brave. A country which prides itself upon the fact 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, that they might become better people, and leave behind a grander legacy for their children and grandchildren to enjoy. The "American Dream", as it has come to be known continues today, inspiring many to work extra hard to ensure that their future and family's needs will be taken care of. It gives a desire to thousands to become educated and skilled. Each year, the "American dream" brings success to hundreds and heartache to thousands. Even upon failure, this same dream which has torn so many down, provides the strength, desire, and courage which enables the dreamers to pick themselves back up and try again. 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 acheive 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 become blinded by greed and visions of wealth. They picture a world free of stress and worries. A world filled with luxurious comforts, friends, 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 murder. Take, for example, the Menendez brothers. They were from what many would consider the picture perfect family, living out the American dream, supporting a life Jose once thought impossible. Jose Menedez came to America from Cuba at the age of fifteen. Although he often struggled, Jose acquired a job with RCA and to say the least, the Menendez family became quite wealthy. Jose raised his two sons, Lyle and Erik, with love and well wishing, preparing them for the day that they would make a name for themselves. Jose stated frequently his desires that Lyle and Erik might live out the American dream the same way that he had and become "successful." Lyle and Erik, however, had different ideas about how to achieve their success. The two brothers were intelligent, popular, athletic, and were looked up to and admired by the entire community. They seemed to be two normal young men on a bright path toward wealth and success. Lyle and Erik's preparation to become successful started at a very young age and continued on through college. The long, drawn out process, quickly caused the brothers to grow impatient. Their dreams became extremely corrupted, as greed took over and visions of wealth and power became overwhelming. At some point the two conversed and came up with a plan which would allow them to obtain their wealth in a very short amount of time. It seemed so easy and the brothers grew quite confident and boastfull about their plan. On occasion before the murders, they were so bold as to brag about their ingenious scheme. Lyle was quoted saying that he didn't want to struggle like his father had, and that he wanted to become wealthy quicker. He stated, that he had a better way. Lyle and Erik, on the evening of August 20, 1989, murdered their father Jose Menendez, and their mother Kitty Menendez in cold blod, with the intent of collecting the fourteen million dollar family estate. That was the better quicker way of obtaining their wealth and success.(Derber) Success; what is it and how do we obtain it? As defined by Webster's New World Pocket Dictionary, success is "the gaining of wealth, fame, etc."(Webster) This definition is a perfect example of how the "American Dream" has become corrupted. In life, our success often can and should be measured on how much we learn or grow as a person. Sometimes success might even be measured by how many friends we have made and by the people we have influenced. Why should we limit ourselves to being solely financially successful? Wouldn't it be far more rewarding and worthwhile to be successful spiritually, educationally, socially, and with our families, rather than obtaining worldly wealth and nothing more? When asked what it takes to become successful, the most common responses are to be ruthless, cunning, greedy, impatient, demanding, and most of all they have to be dedicated solely to obtaining success. Gordon Monson once wrote: "With every wish, there comes a curse."(Monson) In fact these same traits (which are admired and wished upon by millions) when exaggerated and pushed to the limit comprise the formula for disaster. In other words, many people who have already achieved their success and who are looked up to and admired by thousands are like time bombs which have, or can go off at anytime. Somewhere along the line, the dream has become hazy and the dreamers have lost sight of why they sought to achieve success. Our society has become so self-centered that often times there is no thought given to anyone or anything. Kevin Kelly, a prosecutor in the Maria Marshal Murder trial, summed up Rob's (Maria's husband and convicted murderer) personality. "He's self-centered, he's greedy, he's desperate, he's materialistic, and he's a liar.... he will use anybody, he will say anything, and he will do anything - including use his own family - to get out from under. Rob was single mindedly out for number one; he loves no one but himself."(Derber) Rob lived out a life which seemed at times to be torn between two separate worlds. It could be said that Rob had a type of split personality. The side of Rob which his friends, neighbors, and even family knew, incurred his light side. Rob was a wealthy insurance salesman and associates often said that he was truly a "pillar to the community." The side that most people didn't see or even knew existed was his dark side. Rob had an excessive love for gambling. Over time, Rob managed to incur a two hundred thousand dollar gambling debt. In order to pay for these debts, Rob took a hit out on his wife. He planned her execution and made sure that it was carried out, with the intent of collecting one and a half million dollars in life insurance. Rob reached a point in his life where money meant more than anything, he could think of no one besides himself. Eventually, his seemingly harmless love for gambling ended up costing him virtualy everything, his wife, his family, and his freedom. Rob and thousands of others get caught up in the idea that they can make easy money without any cost, or consequence. What these people are forgetting is that there is a cost to everything and that along with money comes power. This power can be and is sometimes used in very good and constructive ways. However, good use of money and power are not used, thought about, or even heard of nearly enough. It seems as if over ninety percent of the stories we hear pertaining to money are about blackmail, fraud, murder, drugs, lying, or gambling. Acts that are commonly referred to as the darkside of money. These acts are occuring so frequently that they are almost expected, or required in order to achieve success. All too often, people achieve wealth without realizing the power or the consequences which money can bring. Richard J. Foster once wrote: "Money is not just a neutral medium of exchange, but a power with a life of its own. And very often it is a power that is demonic in character."(Foster) Money has a tendency to bring out the very worst in people. It lures us in with enticing images of worldly possessions and extends a warm welcome into the presence of "important people." Quickly it becomes an addiction, a power that can not be rejected. The addiction can entice people to fulfill it's needs no matter what the cost. This addiction causes powerful illusions, because the needs can never be satisfied, as greed takes control of the situation. The power possessed by obtaining wealth is the type that can change a man's soul. It takes everything of importance to a person and replaces them with evilness. Happiness is replaced with jealousy, love with mistrust, family with greed, and religion with self-centeredness. This power literally molds us, leaving behind the treats and characteristics it feels fit to. No longer are the distinct thoughts and hidden values which make each of us so unique and different present. The result is an undiversified and self centered world. Tom Morris once wrote: "One of the strongest temptations in life, as we look around us in this great world, is to become so fascinated by the things we see that we forget to develop who we are."(Morris) Money also has the power to classify people. It gives the elusion that one person might be better than another simply because of his or her worldly possessions. In this country, where all men are created equally, organizations can not be joined, country clubs and spas can not be entered, and friendships can not be made, simply because of social status. It is this aspect of the "American Dream" which has changed the most. Just because someone is not rich (money wise), doesn't mean that they have not fully met their personal dreams. It was the simple chance to work towards a personal goal which gave pride to a young nation and defined the "American Dream." Yet people are scrutinized and looked down upon for what they have become. Seriously, who's to say that one profession is more important than another? When in reality, each job is necessary for a business or a community to succeed and flourish. Mark Twain, (Samuel Clemens) once wrote: "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. (The conviction of the rich that the poor are happier is no more foolish than the conviction of the poor that the rich are.)"(Twain) Envy and prejudice are powerful tools which are used and abused each and every day. Although crisis's and disasters are hated and feared by everyone, they have a very unique and effective way of humbling and uniting entire communities. Take, for example, the Oklahoma city bombing. After the initial blast, people from all walks of life joined together with a soul purpose. Whites, blacks, rich and poor, were all working together, trying to help save and better strangers lives. The charity and heart felt love which was shared by an entire nation managed to erase the lines of pride, envy and prejudice. This sad yet hopeful feeling spread throughout the world and was extended through the preceding weeks. Inevitably, however, the effects wore off, as the once shocked yet caring community was again replaced by an ever worsening self centered one. It is disheartening to think that it takes such a horrific act to unite a community or a nation. However it also demonstrates that no matter how much our society has changed, there is still hope. Deep within a seed of compassion, caring, and thoughtfulness can sprout and grow. When you really think about it, the majority of the crimes which are committed in this day and age, can be traced back to money. 1 Timothy 6:10 states "the love of money is the root of all evil."(Timothy) What exactly is lost when somebody gains wealth in life and if somebody becomes wealthy, does that automatically make them a bad person? Of course not, it is not just the money that is causing the problem. There are still thousands of people in this world who achieve success and manage to maintain a caring heart. Take for example Herman White, a Jamaican-born immigrant who is now living out his own American Dream and runs a successful garage. After a recent trip to Gambia, Herman was moved to establish a relief effort and organized a group of trust volunteers. Through great dedication, the group was able to collect enough toys, clothes, bicycles, books, furniture, and electrical equipment to fill an 80 square foot container. Through discounts and donations from businesses and caring citizens of the community, the volunteers raised enough money to send a 40 square foot container (1/2 of the gathered supplies) to Gambia.(Sanders) How do people like Herman White manage to dodge the horrific curse which has over-powered so many? The answer is simple. They simply do not allow money and wealth to influence the decisions, values and the goals which they have set for their lives. The problem is not coming from those who care about their families or their future and search for wealth to provide for priorities such as these. The problem arises when obtaining wealth becomes an obsession, something which replaces previous priorities, values, and goals. It is at this stage that things pertaining to family, religion, and ethics take a back seat to the love of money. One of the most common responses when individuals are asked what is desired most out of life, is happiness. This seemed very interesting when compared to the other common response, which was to become successful. Can and does success, as defined by Webster, bring happiness? This concept can become extremely confusing for the simple reason that people with money always look so much happier. From television, magazines, friends, and our own fantasies we become convinced that wealth can solve all of our worries and problems. We become deceived and lose sight of reality simply because that is what we would like to believe. Tom Morris, Ph.D. once wrote: "Finding the meaning of our lives and achieving the happiness we desire consists, in part, in finding the right primary goals to shoot for and pursuing them, in identifying appropriate secondary goals and moving toward them, as well as in knowing the difference between the two."(Morris) By setting and knowing the priorities that are most important to us, we can avoid the powerful hallucinations which money can bring. Therefore allowing us the power to chose and carve our own destinies. Works Cited Timothy. New Testament. Salt Lake City: Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints 1989 Sanders, Mark "Businessman with a heart of gold." Ethnic NewsWatch . June 1996:8 Derber, Charles. American Dream: Money, Murder and the American . Winchester: Faber and Faber 1992 Monson, Gordon. The Salt Lake Tribune . Salt Lake City: October 5 "Success." Websters New World Pocket Dictionary Foster, Richard J. Power: Money, Sex and Power . San Francisco: Harper and Row 1985 Morris, Tom Ph.D. Success: True Success . New York: Grosset/Putram Twain, Mark. Aaron Fuegi's Collected Quotations . Utah Link October 14, 1997 Available: www.bu.edu:80/- aarondf/quotes.html Annotated Bibliography Friedman, Milton. Darkside of Money: Money Mischief . Orlando: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1992 Talks about the history of money and how it has affected many major decisions. Shames, Laurence. Greed: The Hunger for More . New York: Rines Books 1989 "Searching for values in an age of greed." Dr. Stockdale. "Quoted by Elder Hugh B. Brown." May 1956 "Progress comes not by some magic word and not by edict but from the thoughts the toil, the tears, the triumphs of individuals who accept the challenge of raw materials--and by the grace of God-given talents produce results which satisfy the needs of men." Emerson, Ralph W. Aaron Fuegi's Collected Quotes . Utah Link October 14, 1997 Available: www.bu.edu:80/- aarondf/quotes.httml "Money often costs too much." |