SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT #5: Rubric Link
BEFORE STARTING: Click on the Rubric Link and review the requirements for this assessment. You will be assessed on two standards, a Writing and a Speaking & Listening. Remember that although a major component of this assessment is concise writing, you are still also expected to do the "usual," such as answering logically, including text evidence, and supporting an original claim.
COMMENTS ARE DUE by Midnight on Thursday (4/28). After this time, all comments will be posted so that discussion can begin. A minimum of TWO replies is required for the assessment, which must be completed by Midnight on Sunday (5/1).
If your comment is not posted prior to the cutoff, it will not be included in discussion and cannot be assessed for this value.
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The Price Tag of the American Dream
Original USA Today article link.
Step 1: Visit the website listed above by clicking on the link.
Briefly review the following sections:
1. Essentials
2. Extras
3. Taxes/Savings
4. Total Income Needed
The original article is listed below the visual... briefly scan through that, as well.
After completing all this, respond to the following underlined question:
Does the American Dream have a price tag?
If you believe that it does be sure to include the price in your response.
If you believe it does not be sure to share what you think is necessary to achieve the American Dream. Include at least two pieces of evidence from the article or web site in your response comment.
Helpful Hints:
DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!
DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.
BE SURE to EDIT before you submit!! Just as we practiced in class, read over your work and look for wordiness and repetition. Once submitted and added to the discussion, your comment is permanent and will be assessed.
Step 2: Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of TWO other student comments.
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to. DO NOT start a new comment as a reply. You can reply to other students' replies as well as original comments.
Helpful Hints:
MAKE SURE that you are doing more than just agreeing with someone else.
BE SPECIFIC in your response: refer directly to something the author wrote, ask a question, or introduce new supporting evidence.
EDIT your replies as you would your claim. Replies will be measured for accuracy and conciseness in the same way as the comment.
COMMENTS ARE DUE by Midnight on Thursday (4/28). After this time, all comments will be posted so that discussion can begin. A minimum of TWO replies is required for the assessment, which must be completed by Midnight on Sunday (5/1).
If your comment is not posted prior to the cutoff, it will not be included in discussion and cannot be assessed for this value.
______________________________________________________________________________
Step 1: Visit the website listed above by clicking on the link.
Briefly review the following sections:
1. Essentials
2. Extras
3. Taxes/Savings
After completing all this, respond to the following underlined question:
Does the American Dream have a price tag?
Helpful Hints:
DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!
DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.
BE SURE to EDIT before you submit!! Just as we practiced in class, read over your work and look for wordiness and repetition. Once submitted and added to the discussion, your comment is permanent and will be assessed.
DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.
BE SURE to EDIT before you submit!! Just as we practiced in class, read over your work and look for wordiness and repetition. Once submitted and added to the discussion, your comment is permanent and will be assessed.
Step 2: Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of TWO other student comments.
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to. DO NOT start a new comment as a reply. You can reply to other students' replies as well as original comments.
BE SPECIFIC in your response: refer directly to something the author wrote, ask a question, or introduce new supporting evidence.
EDIT your replies as you would your claim. Replies will be measured for accuracy and conciseness in the same way as the comment.
Despite USA Today saying that the American Dream requires $130,000 a year, the American dream does not have a price tag. Instead, our "forefathers stood up against what they believed to be unfair laws and unfair taxation without representation.", meaning our forefathers believed that the government should not stand in the way of the citizen's rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. To our founding fathers, this was the American Dream, and that doesn't cost $130,000 a year. The only thing necessary to achieve the American Dream is to do whatever makes you happy, not material possessions.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, $130,000 dollars a year is out of reach for "7 out of 8 American families", but this only causes envy towards others who have more, and those 7 out of 8 American families probably question why they can't "have it all" like rich people. But that doesn't define the American Dream in the eyes of our founding fathers. Material possessions do not define the American Dream.
I agree. The American Dream is having the freedom to live the happy life that one wants. There is no price tag for the American Dream, since happiness doesn't come from material possessions most times.
DeleteI like how you used the founding fathers as a baseline for most of this response. I agree with you, but I never really thought of the fathers in my response. They gave us the American dream of happiness not material possessions like you said.
DeleteThe American dream is becoming harder and harder to reach in today's America due to rising living costs and an ever stagnant wage. USA Today States “living the American dream would cost the average family of four about $130,000 a year” Which is crazy considering that even teachers in our nation's schools make nowhere near that amount and they are shaping America's youth. The costs of living in America have gone as high as “130,357 annually “ according to our article, but the American dream is not all about money. The American dream is just that a dream it's what you want to obtain in life not what others say it should be if you like working for 7.75 at McDonald or you want to be a doctor, dentist, teacher, policeman or firefighter go for it! That's the American dream living life how you want to.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that the "American Dream" is not all about money is about everything you want to achieve in life.
DeleteThe American Dream does have a price tag, BUT ONLY FOR SOME. That price tag can also be removed. This "dream" we all strive for is about living as comfortably as possible. The hard work that comes with it is also necessary in this dream. For some people, living comfortably means having that "130,000 dollars" mentioned in the article. Also, it mentions all these ways to curve prices "in things like family vacations, entertainment..." you get the idea. These prices don't necessarily need to be curved, there are many people who are financially struggling that don't curve these prices. They don't do it because they know a good time can still be had; further pushing this idea of the American Dream being "comfortably living with the cost of your hard work."
ReplyDeleteLooking back further in time, the original colonists weren't coming here for the profit. Yes, of course there was profit to be had, but the main reason they came was for a new beginning. They wanted to get away from the plagued Europe, because America was a healthy piece of open land. The article’s main point is “the American Dream is pretty much out of reach.” When happiness is tethered to a physical object such as money, and that physical object isn’t around as much as you’d like. Then yes, the American Dream is pretty much out of reach, but the American Dream can be achieved, just by appreciating what’s around you. This world has greed sewn into the cloth of our land. We get rid of that, and the whole world could be living the American Dream.
The American dream does have a price tag according to the article it states that “ Americans need to earn $130,357 annually.” On my own experience about achieving the American Dream I started at Zero because of my understanding of the language, but thanks to the education I received and the hard work I put in school I have a job. Now I can buy my own stuff without asking my parents for money. Without a job I couldn’t have the life I wanted to have because I would feel uncomfortable because is not a part of the American Dream. The American Dream is very different for everyone and for me is to earn money and send it to my mom in Mexico because she needs it more than I do and seen her happy is my American Dream.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of how the American Dream has a cost is stated in the article in the Taxes and Savings section “ College savings for two children tallied up to $5,000 per year.” College is very important for a lot of people that dream with having a career. Saving money for college is very difficult because with all the necessities that people have. This necessities also cost money and people feel that they can’t achieve the American Dream because the prices are too high and the “ financial crisis” affects the economy of the people.
As a fellow co-worker, I agree with the parts of having your own money and not asking your parents for it. That is a big part of the dream is having money, but I think you don't need a price tag because as long as you're happy, you are living the dream in my opinion. Also, I think that it's amazing what you're doing with your money to give it to your mom in mexico.
DeleteI truly believe that the American dream is almost dead. No its not me being all supportive it's just logic if you think about it we the people are killing our own dream and no one is stopping us. It's like the article said the dream is on a life line and we are slowly but surely cutting away at it as we make things more expansive the cut gets deeper but as we lower the price. For those that don't have as much as us we bring in some tape to repair it. Where in a game really for all the good we get good for all the bad we get bad it's sorta like cat and mouse the cat is trying to kill the mouse while the mouse just wants to live. Some of you are asking what i am talking about so I will tell you for us to help this dream we all have we must help those in need and for those in need let us help by being prideful we can’t help anyone if we can’t help ourselves. Let me give you some help with that the prices for normal families are housing $17,062,groceries $12,659, car expense $11,039 and these is just some examples . So that enough if not then for a middle class family to live the dream the would need to make $130,357 a year to actually live the dream we wish for but most can not have. “Most families between 2008 to 2012 with both parents working full time only made $53,046 not even half of what you would need to live the true American dream.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you because for me the " American Dream" can't die. If you have hope and if you keep dreaming you will achieve it some day.
DeleteBecause USA Today Says to achieve the “ American Dream” you need to make $130,457 annually, that does not mean it's true for everyone because you can live a fine life on less. A quote from Joshua Becker’s article Says “ Fulfillment and happiness can only be found in the ownership of theses luxuries is a shameful misrepresentation of our heart's greatest desires”. This Explains how USA Today's article based their american dream off of just material possessions, and that it is destroying the american dream because it's not just about living a expensive luxurious life. This is one reason why it does not cost $130,357 annually to live the american dream.
ReplyDeleteAnother quote in joshua articles Says “ As Americans, we are free to pursue ur own happiness-however we decide to define it--in whatever lawful manner we desire”. This explains how as americans we are free to pursue our own type of happiness and define what is our american dream is to us. This is why it does not cost $130,357$ to live the american dream because everyone in the U.S has the freedom to live their own american dream and decide how to define it.
I agree. People have different life styles, dreams, and happiness. The American Dream is not base on material possessions, but base on ones's own happiness. People with less live a happy and contented life. There is no price tag to the American Dream.
DeleteAlthough having lots of money gives you more freedom in life, the American Dream does not have a price tag. In the article “It’s 2015 and The American Dream Is On Life Support”, Sam Becker says to achieve the American Dream, “Americans need to earn $130,357 annually…” This is untrue because there are people that have almost nothing and still see the good and life and love the way they live. You do not need money to be happy, your happiness is simply what you make of it.
ReplyDeleteIn the article “The American Dream Does Not Cost $130,000/year”, Joshua Becker says that 7 out of 8 American families are being told that their lives would be more fulfilling if they had more money.” and “As a result, our standards become more redefined.” This means that people honestly believe that since they have less money than people who are happy with money, they can’t be happy. There is more to life than platinum screen tvs and big fancy cars.
I agree with your statement, " You don't need money to be happy" because people that don't have a lot of money have things that make them happy such as family and having a fulfilling life which doesn't require money.
Delete-Does the American Dream have a price tag?-
ReplyDeleteNo. The American dream does not come with a price tag. Everyone has there own opinion of the American Dream. When someone describes the American Dream, they may include prosperity or popularity, but this all boils down to them wanting to feel content with their lives.
Although in the article “It’s 2015, And The American Dream Is On Life Support”, Sam Becker states “the American Dream is pretty much out of reach.” This is then followed up by a biased statement that you must make “$130,357 annually” to achieve this dream… This is not true.
Not only is it not true, but as said in a follow up article, “The American Dream Does Not Cost $130,000/year” by Joshua Becker. He clearly states “It breeds jealousy and envy.” He also says “And it harms us as a nation because it is based on a faulty definition of the American Dream.” The previous article tries to convince us that we may NEVER be able to reach the American Dream, unless we are wealthy. But as Leo Rosten once said, “Money can't buy happiness, but neither can poverty.” Meaning you don't need to be rich to live a happy life, but being poor won't make it any better.
So in conclusion, the American Dream DOES NOT have a price tag.
I disagree with your statement. This is because you don't necessarily need to be wealthy as you stated, but you need to have money to survive in america. It’s nearly impossible for someone that is in poverty to live the american dream because it's a struggle just to barely get by everyday.
DeleteEven though it’s going up in cost to live in today’s society, the American Dream does not have a price tag on it. Many people could say that the American Dream is about “pursuing a rewarding career...and opportunity for their children to live a better life” but that is not the only way to achieve the American Dream. You don’t need to be rich or smart or anything. Even though some of these points may be accurate many of these cost can be reduced dramatically or cut out of someone’s everyday life. For example you don't need a phone to be able to use the internet. Many people want to have a phone but there are many other ways like using the school computer lab or local library. By using the resources provided to you, you can get around with less than 130k a year.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a price tag on the American Dream then that means “only one out of eight families is living the American Dream. Meaning the other seven families are living under the wage that is consider the Dream. But that is not completely true. Anyone could achieve the Dream by putting in hard work, striving what they believe in and what they want out of life. By telling people that you have to make a certain amount of money to live a happy life “harms us as a nation” and is a “faulty Definition” of life. You don't need to fancy or make the most money in the world. All you need is a heart and a mind to focus on how you want to live. It definitely cost less than 130k .
Does the American Dream have a price tag? Well the american dream sadly isn’t free. In the article “It’s 2015, And The American Dream Is On Life Support” It states “Americans need to earn $130,357 annually,” to live the american dream which, is entirely unrealistic and extremely discouraging. But, that’s based on the assumption that people have an average family of four with two salaries. Not everyone wants to have children or live in an expensive house to live the american dream. Whereas an individual that annually earns 53 grand or less a year can still have enough for necessities and still live the american dream. Extras like vacations, entertainment, eating out, etc… can be inexpensive you just have to be creative and smart. Same goes for necessities.
ReplyDeleteTaxes and debt are still a huge obstacle that hinders Americans from living the american dream. “...the average American's credit card debt is $15,000, and student loan debt is more than $33,600”, this means that for an average american it’s increasingly difficult to save any money because of debt. Taxes also take a portion out of that income. The point is, that the American Dream isn’t unattainable for anyone, it just isn’t easy. Some people have to work harder than others to live comfortably, especially ones that come from a lower class background. So you can technically say the american dream has a personal “price tag” it’s just not as extreme as interpreted.
I agree. Although it is sad that you may need more than the average amount of money to achieve the American Dream, it is necessary.
DeleteI like when you stated "Not everyone wants to have children or live in an expensive house to live the american dream." I also know plenty of people who don't want to get married and this just means that there are people who have different definitions of the American Dream. Your statement is something I never took into consideration, but it was a refreshing thought.
DeleteThe American Dream does not have a price tag. According to Joshua Becker in the article, “The American Dream Does Not Cost $130,000/year,” “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This quote mean that the true American Dream is to have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is no need for money to have a life, be free and happy. People with less are just as happy with their life as people with more. It all comes down to the lifestyle and environment in which people live. Those living a life of supportive people will be happier than those living with wealth but is alone. Feelings and smaller things that make people happy and live a contented live is the American Dream. Therefore, the American Dream does not have a price tag of $130,000 a year.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, the American Dream does not have a price tag because “$315 worth of food every week is foolishness... I know countless people who live fulfilled and content lives on far less----all the while planning on a comfortable retirement and providing opportunity for their children.” There is no need to have so much money in order to achieve the American Dream. As the definition of the American Dream is stated above, people have the freedom to live the happy life they desire. People have different lifestyles and dreams. Therefore, someone who have his or her dream job as a teacher will earn less than a doctor. There is no price tag for the American Dream, since dreams and happiness are personal.
Cheng, I like how you and I have similar points of views on the price of the American Dream. I love the sentence "Those living a life of supportive people will be happier than those living with wealth but is alone." I think you should add in how wealth makes someone lonely. Some stories on Hollywood actors and depression might be good sources to look at. Otherwise, this was a good perception on the American Dream.
DeleteThe American Dream does have a price tag. But saying that, doesn’t mean you can’t be happy without over 100,000 dollars. On the website it says that the prices to live the American Dream are for a married couple and two children. It says “College Savings’’ (For two children). But the American Dream varies from person to person with what they want. Some people don’t want two children, so that will lower the 130,000 dollar price tag. Also in the article it states “...$58,000 for the essentials.” But that number could also vary on how many people you’re supporting.
ReplyDeleteThe second article nails it with what the American Dream really costs. It says “The notion that a family of four must own a $275K home, drive an SUV, spend $5K on summer vacation, and eat $315 worth of food every week is foolishness.” Those are some pretty big privileges that shouldn’t be looked at as essentials like they were in the first article. It also says “As Americans, we are free to pursue our own happiness—however we decide to define it—in whatever lawful manner we desire” That just proves my point further that every person’s “American Dream” price tag is different.
The American Dream is something that is different for everyone and based on your opinion of it, it can have a price tag. USA today says, “A six figure income is required to achieve what most Americans strive for. To be exact, Americans need to earn $130,357.” Between 2008 and 2012 the average median household income was $53,056. To achieve the American dream you don’t need to make six figures. You just need to be able to pay your bills and then still have money leftover to do things.
ReplyDeleteThe bare necessities for the average family cost around $58,500. $17,062 for housing, $12,659 for groceries, $11,039 in vehicle expenses, and just over $9,000 in medical expenses. These totals might vary for other people. For me, the medical expenses category would be way up and that means that my definition of the American Dream costs a little more than other peoples. That total is $5,000 more than the average median household income. If you want to make enough money to achieve the American Dream, making around $80,000 or a little more should do it. The article says,”It’s not about getting rich and making a lot of money. It’s about security.” If you make enough money you can secure a good future for not only you but your children too and that is an important part of the American Dream. So yes, the American Dream does come with a price tag.
The research says you need $130,357 in order to pay your bills and for extra things like vacations. I see where you're going though because you seriously only need to pay your bills and extra things without paying 130 grand. $80,000 does sound about right and it does vary, so with that said I agree.
DeleteIn today’s world it seems necessary to maintain a certain wage to be pleased with the life you have. Although money can buy you essential things that can help you achieve the American Dream, our perceptions of happiness are always changing. The idea that $130,000 per year means living the American Dream is flawed because money can open doors to “discontent, jealousy, and resentment in many American families.” The thought that you must be in a certain range in financial stability only sets another farfetched standard for the average American to overcome. Families like mine can’t get an offer for a high paying job overnight, but we are doing just fine as it is. Plus, not everyone has the same kinds of dreams. One can dream of living in a mansion in California, but still be satisfied in the suburbs of Illinois. It’s all on how you personally view your life today.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of people who have less and are more content on where they are in life. I’ve read an article on huffintonpost.com about how the poor are happier than the rich. It states, “many rich people have never been poor, so they have no idea just how hard it is to be an American without money.” This is what money does to someone, it makes them blind from the things that are happening around them. It’s possible that the American Dream is often associated with money due to the fact that you can get what you want with it, but “there are greater and more important pursuits available to us than material possessions.” Meaning that no matter what you choose to do with your life, you will often find that you can be happy with what you have. So, no the American Dream does not have a price tag and it never should.
I agree that " there are greater and more important pursuits available to us than material possessions" because being happy and living the life you want are more important than having luxurious items.
DeleteThe American Dream does not have a price tag. The typical American dream consists of a mom and dad, a huge house and a median income of around 53,000 per year. At least one vehicle and each gender as a child.”A six-figure income is required to achieve what most Americans strive for.” Not all American dreams are the same dreams. Some dreams are of the parents hoping their children/child or partner make it home from war. Some dream of a world at peace, less pollution, no killing or violence. Bullying will be stopped so kids don’t take their lives when they haven’t had the chance to sit behind a wheel and press on the gas. As americans we are greedy to assume money makes our lives better. That phrase,”More the Merrier” is not always positive. There are kids, teens, hell even 40 year olds who live in the poorest neighborhood in their city and feel the richest because they helped that old lady across the street because they believe just doing small good deeds for the world is all it takes to make it better from every minute of everyday, someone who will that bully to shut up and move on or even came home from war in one piece. There are people who “slowly become bitter towards those who have more. Whether we are the 87.5% or the 99% resentment will always steal more joy from us then it will from the other person.” This quote made me realize a few things. One how for sure money has taken over our lives. People who are at the poverty line or below resent people who run around in lavishing cars. Understandable. But, How are we to know if they are truly happy or just buying things because they can as a substitute to actually dealing with emotional need. The American dream does not have a price tag. Lives can be lived happily by having food in your fridge, clothing on your back and a roof over your head. It might not be the top notch meat and a high end store, name brand clothing or a luxury 5.6 million dollar house but it is something, and something is better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream doesn’t have a price tag. There isn’t a certain number you need to see on your pay stub to be able to achieve the American Dream. In the text it states, “The notion that a family of four must own a $275K home, drive an SUV, spend $5K on summer vacation, and eat $315 worth of food every week is foolishness.” I have a family of four and we don’t have a home that is worth $275K or drive SUV’s and we are living the American Dream because we are happy and we are living personally fulfilling lives. The American Dream is more about having the opportunity to get those things and be successful because in plenty of places around the world that amount of success isn’t even thinkable.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason is having a lot of money isn’t necessary to pursue what most Americans consider the American Dream. In the text it says, “ the American Dream became defined as ‘economic security, finding and pursuing a rewarding career, leading a healthy and personally fulfilling life. Being able to retire in comfort, and opportunity for their children to live a better life”. People don’t need $130k to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, my parents are living fulfilling lives and neither of them make close to $130k. The American Dream is more about being happy than having a lot of money.
In conclusion, the American Dream doesn’t require a price tag because having the opportunity for success and happiness are more important than the amount of money someone makes.
The American Dream does have a price tag. There isn't anyway in my eyes that you can possibly achieve being successful without a starting point. Now I do agree with when the text states "...must own a $275,000 home, drive an SUV, spend $5,000 on summer vacations and eat $315 worth of food every week is foolish." I agree with this because you don't have to have these things in order to achieve the American Dream. On the other hand it still does have a price, because you need to be able to go to college, have a vehicle and have a house or dorm. Another reason is because you have to have a certain amount of necessities and wants in order to be happy and fulfill the American Dream. The website and the text both support this when they show you how much it costs for certain things. On quote that supports this is when it says " Taxes and savings tally up to $54,857 annually", "...college savings for 2 children tallied up to $5,000 per year". The website shows that essentials cost around " $58,491 per year." However their total comes to around 130k a year, which is outrageous. If I had to set a price tag on the American Dream it would be around $80,000-$100,000.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, the American Dream does have a price tag due to needing essentials, wants, and other things that tie into the price of everyday life.
I agree with you when you say that those things are foolish. You don't need those in order to achieve the American Dream.
DeleteI completely agree with this, I agree because everyone does have to start somewhere. A price tag is still a price tag no matter how big or how small. Everyone needs the bare minimum to get by and that costs money, your comment closely resembles my response as well.
DeleteI agree, you don't need to have an excessive amount of money to live the American Dream. You just need enough to live comfortably.
DeleteCOMMENT WRITTEN BY KAM MELIK:
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream is not a real thing, it’s an invisible object so many Americans grasp to clench, so who’s to put a price tag on it? We all have different dreams, aspirations, goals, and wishes we want to see come to life. Some are big, some are fairly small, but it’s obvious that not all of them will cost $130,357, because everyone wants the burden of two children, and the limitations that come with marriage, right? I’ll say personally, we shouldn’t even be in a mindset of reaching the American Dream, because when 45,000,000 Americans are under the poverty line, over 300 people are being murdered in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles each, who’s to blanket themselves in their green sheets, covering their eyes from dead people, under dead presidents?
Our dream should be equality. Our dream shouldn’t be for ourselves, but for others. Our dream should be for every young boy and girl to receive and education, to have three healthy meals a day, connect with other boys and girls and make everlasting bonds, and to have a future, so they won’t make the same mistakes that we have made, reaching for our own personal dreams.
I disagree with you because I believe that the American Dream is a real thing. Everyone has their own opinion on what their version of the American Dream is but I don't think it's just an invisible object.
DeleteI understand where you're coming from with all of this, but i'd like to know whether you think the American Dream has a price tag.
DeleteThe American dream does not have a certain price tag, if someone were to say it does, they might need to look at it a different way. The whopping price of $130,000 seems incorrect. The expenses stated by the article might be true for some people like, “$275k home, drive an SUV, spend 5k on summer vacation, and eat $315 worth of food every week is foolishness.” However, the dream should consist of you simply being happy and living life to the fullest with what you have. The money they have in the calculations for summer vacation, going out to eat and entertainment should be out of question because you do not need to spend that money. You could find something else that you enjoy to do that doesn’t cost a lot of money! Walking through the park, shooting hoops, and hanging with friends. As long as you’re happy, you have achieved the dream.
ReplyDeleteThe American dream doesn’t only mean all of your material possessions, but the possessions of family and love. It is up to the person to find what they want in the dream, “As Americans, we are free to pursue our own happiness-however we decide to define it- in whatever lawful manner we desire.” America is full of opportunities and is up to us to go achieve them. If you are committed and know what you want, you can go get it. That’s the special thing about the American dream, sure if you get a great job, big house, and go on vacation every year you are living it. Also if you have a job, a house, and other things that you enjoy to do, you are also living what everyone wants. The American dream does not have a price tag, and if it does, it is definitely not $130,000.