The American Dream has been around since the founding of our country. It became a reality to millions in the mid-1800′s during the Industrial Revolution. Poor, starving families left their farms and agrarian way of life in search of opportunities in the booming cities of America. Millions relocated into these thriving cities in search of opportunities that not only enabled them to avoid starvation, but to prosper.
As the American Dream rewarded those courageous souls, the economy grew into the largest economy in the world.
Andrew Carnegie is perhaps one of the best examples of the American Dream at work during that time period. A poor Scottish immigrant who, in spite of his abject poverty, worked hard and smart to pull himself out of poverty and into the history books, to become at the time, the wealthiest man in the world.
The American Dream made that possible. It offered every American, and every welcomed immigrant, hope for a better life.
Those who embrace the American Dream believe every generation will be better off than the last. They believe that, no matter the circumstances you were born into, you have the opportunity to rise above those circumstances.
Our founders created a Constitutional Republic, which virtually guaranteed that the forces of evil who seek to enslave human beings under tyrannical government, would ultimately be vanquished by a seemingly innocuous right built into the fabric of the Constitution – the right to vote.
With every national, regional and local election, the American Dream is on the ballot. Those who embrace it, vote one way. Those who seek to undermine it, vote another way.
I think it’s important to understand exactly what the American Dream is and why it is so important, not just to America, but to the rest of the world.
The Four Pillars of the American Dream
- Individual Freedom – The right to do, say and live as you see fit, so long as it does not infringe on the rights or freedoms of others.
- Individual Opportunity – The right to pursue opportunities in an economic system where each individual succeeds or fails, based on their own individual merits and efforts.
- Individual Property Rights – The right to keep the wealth you produce, through your own individual merits and efforts. Wealth includes Property and Income.
- Individual Responsibility – Accepting individual responsibility for the circumstances of your life.
The forces of evil who seek to undermine the American Dream always attack these four pillars.
The U.S. Constitution is wrapped around the American Dream, like a blanket, protecting it from the evil forces who seek to destroy America and our Individual-focused way of life.
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, Effort-Less Wealth, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
