John > i see you probably only mean this in respect to being a conventionally-defined 'successful' american and achieving the American Dream.
In terms of my argument, the "American Dream" has less to do with actually being in America and more to do with the way the dream is achieved. After all, since it's a dream it's a product of someone's imagination and that usually means Hollywood. So, one can achieve the American Dream anywhere providing one does it the "dream" way ie the way of the movies.
Perhaps it's unfair to suggest that people who borrow up to the hilt, live beyond their means, have conspicuous consumption, attempt to keep up with the wealthiest Jones's and appear indifferent to waste and pollution, are living the American Dream, but the analogy does seem pertinent at the moment. Anyway, I can tell you there are many in South Africa whose lifestyles are modeled on what they imagine Americans would dream about. Perhaps not so many lately, but definitely in the past. These days they're trying to imagine what a smart African would dream about. Hard to know such a thing, but maybe the smart African is also dreaming about being a smart American!
> interesting, if somewhat over-the-top, piece
More than a little, I would say. I just can't believe that W can or will be impeached. As for the rest of his "mob", well, they are just bad news. One only hopes that the American people will do something about them. |
