The American Dream

Submitted by Michael S, Dec 10, 2016 at 01:41

Hi, Tovey.

I pretty much agree with you. For instance,

" If the conservative movement does not get it right, then Lincoln's observation will play itself out; that we have played the fool and most of the people wasted their time chasing an empty dream; you know which one-the American Dream."

You hit the nail on the head -- the "American Dream" is just a dream. In fact, I have never been quite clear on what it is. Is it that everyone in America has a crack at a "rags-to-riches" experience? That was not the dream of my forefathers. Perhaps the Jamestown settlers had that dream: a dream of getting rich on gold and spices. Those dreamers mostly perished, though, in a few years; because they didn't have the sense to plant crops. After a while, it occurred to them that they needed women, so they could start families, and that they needed to work for a living. After that, things settled down a bit.

In Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, the "dream" was spiritually directed: so that the Pilgrims could worship God in freedom; and so the Puritans could make their "New Jerusalem", a "City on a Hill". They did not come here to become wealthy; though in time, even this was granted them by God because their hearts were right. My Pilgrim and Puritan ancestors were very blessed people, raising families of 8-10 children and not wanting for good land to farm. These things were unheard of, back in England.

The Apostle Paul said,

1 Timothy 6:
[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
[4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.

The "dream" of my New England ancestors was not "gain". It was "godliness with contentment". We have strayed from this as a nation, so it is no wonder that we are on the verge of collapse. Even more so, is the rest of the world, which mocks America for the godliness we have left in us. Their fall will be sudden and soon.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".