Is the American Dream still alive? According to the authors in “They Say, I Say” and “The American Dream Still Exists,” their opinions range from believing the Dream is over to believing it is still alive. The American Dream is still alive, and American citizens should believe so as well. While citizens may believe the Dream is over, it is not; while citizens might believe a new generation is expected to create a new Dream, they are not; while citizens might believe the American Dream is on hold, it is not; the American Dream is still alive and while these authors make arguments it is not, they are wrong. Citizens might believe the American Dream is over, but it is not. When Americans think of the American Dream, what do citizens think of? Bob Herbert, author of “Hiding From Reality” explains that the American Dream was based on how the economy thrives, how education systems are teaching children, and how strong employment rates are. Herbert clarifies, “We still don’t have the money to pay for the wars that we insist on fighting year after year” (565). He is claiming that America wants to continue fighting wars by using the money it does not have; this idea adds on to his opinion on why the Dream is over. On the other hand, Herbert is incorrect when he states, “However you want to define the American Dream, there is not much left of it anymore” (564). Many Americans assume that the Dream is over; however, citizens are looking at the American Dream in the wrong perspective. The Dream is still alive, and for other Americans to believe that also, they need to see through the faults of America and try to keep the Dream alive. To do so, American citizens cannot believe what others are saying about how the Dream is over, such as Herbert himself. While Herbert might say some are “hiding from reality” of the American Dream, citizens need to overcome the hardships America is in and live out the American Dream itself. Individuals believe that the next generation will bring in a new American Dream and replace the old one. Cal Thomas, the author of “Is the American Dream Over?” believes that the American Dream is over and that citizens of a new generation are expected to believe in a new Dream. He clarifies “ … one might reasonably expect a new generation to achieve a better life than their parents…” (Thomas 588). By saying this, Thomas is explaining that children nowadays might have a better life than their parents did. Therefore, creating a new American Dream. The author contradicts himself; he argues that the American Dream is over, yet he also implies there will be a new American Dream from younger generations. In other words, Thomas does not believe that there is an American Dream, but he contradicts himself by saying there is one in process due to the new generation. Younger generations will not have to start a new American Dream and the American Dream is not over. In Thomas’ article, Thomas says, “The creation of a government that is out of control, and thus out of touch robs every citizen, preventing fulfilment of the original American Dream” (569). He claims that the government is preventing the American Dream. Again, Thomas contradicts himself on his opinion to another opinion he has. The author's view is wrong: if Americans think the American Dream is based on younger generations, then citizens who believe that need to educate the younger generations on the outlook of the real American Dream. In “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” Brandon King talks about his view on the American Dream and whether he believes if it is still alive or not. King explains that he believes the American Dream is still alive. He exemplifies, “I believe that the ideals and values of the American Dream are still very much alive” (King 572). King expresses his gratitude for America, yet states its faults as well. He believes America's economy is fragile and that is where the country is at fault (King 573). I agree that the American Dream is still alive, but on the other hand, I disagree with his other viewpoints. I disagree with him when he says that signs of excelling in life was owning cars and homes of high value (King 573). King’s point is that money was the main goal for citizens when living the American Dream now. I agree with the author when he defends that the American Dream is still alive; however, I do not agree with his viewpoints on what the American Dream is now. The American Dream is now not about financial situations because the Dream has changed over time. On the other hand, Matthew Warshauer author of “The American Dream still Exists” is correct when he writes about the American Dream still existing and his personal view points. Warshauer is correct when he states, “The American Dream has always included achieving financial success; however, the celebrated method of acquiring money has changed over the centuries of American history” (par. 2). He is saying that the American Dream used to be based on financial issues but now has changed. I agree with Warshauer on his viewpoints of the American Dream and what he is standing for. King’s opinion that the American Dream still exists is partly correct; however, he is wrong about the definition of the American Dream. Although, I do believe Warshauer’s view of the American Dream is fully correct, as well as his definition. The American Dream seems to be over according to some of the author's views in “They Say, I Say” but in “The American Dream Still Exists” by Matthew Warshauer, the dream still exists. The American Dream is still alive even though others might try and contradict that it isn’t.While citizens may believe the Dream has ended, it has not; while citizens might believe a new generation is obligated to produce a new Dream, they are not; while citizens might believe the American Dream is paused, it is not; the American Dream is living and while these authors make arguments it is not, they are incorrect.
Works Cited Herbert, Bob. “Hiding from Reality.” They Say I Say, 2nd ed., W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 2012, pp. 1–701. King, Brandon. “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” They Say I Say, 2nd ed., W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 2012, pp. 1–701. Thomas, Cal. “Is the American Dream Over?” They Say I Say, 2nd ed., W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 2012, pp. 1–701. Warshauer, Matthew. “The American Dream Still Exists.” American Studies Today Online, edited by Kate Burns, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010415202/OVIC?u=chil38234&xid=c842d682. Accessed 2017.