Some Thoughts on "The American Dream"

A recent Smerconish daily poll posed this question: "Do you think the American Dream-—that if you work hard, you'll get ahead-—still holds true, never held true, or once held true but does not anymore?" The result was 50% for once but no longer", 44% for "still holds true", and 6% for "never held true".

What I find objectionable is not the results, which are unremarkable, but the way the question is phrased. The term "get ahead" implies financial success, in particular, doing better financially than your parents. The implication here is that the "American Dream" consists of financial success.

I take issue with this forumulation. After all, noone ever lay on his or her death bed and said, "My only regret is not spending more time on my business". The very thought is ludicrous. No, success in life consists of many things, but financial success would be way down on the list.