The American Dream - Now a Nightmare
by: Arleen M. Kaptur
Sugar and spice is suppose to be a part of a child's
dream. Today the dreams of the little ones are of
fear of going to school, and fear that the government
will take their mom or dad and send them far away,
sometimes they will not come back.
For adults, dreams are a chance to live out hopes,
and ideals. Once again, the dreams of yesterday
are only a memory, while those of today are a mixed
basket of lies, gluttony for power, and executive privileges
that would have rocked the world of the Stalin/Hitler eras.
But sad to say, the
dreams of the American people now cause them to
wake up in a sweat and a state of panic. Foreclosures
of homes are at an all time high, food prices have
skyrocketed to the degree that a human need now has
become a budget problem. Jobs are not secure and
neither are the borders. Education depends on money,
not on the quest for knowledge or paving the way for the
future of our young ones. Children face metal detectors
and drills for possible school shootings. Quite a change
from the ideal - schools being a place to learn and grow
not to study in fear and trepidation.
Is the American dream lost forever? Does this generation
as well as future generations have to face nightmarish
news and futile struggles to survive and enjoy everyday
living? The answer lies in the hearts of every American -
if you give up your rights to the American dream, then
expect the nights to be long and torrid. When daybreak
comes instead of sunrises and cool breezes, the heat of
government oppression by evoking unheard-of powers,
and the hunger of huge corporations for profits that are
a national disgrace when families are made to do without,
children are hungry, and the elderly suffer for lack of
funds to buy medication, is a devastating way to start the day.
There can be awesome sunrises and brilliant sunsets in
the future of America - it will take courage, strength and the
intent of all the people. Party politics must be laid aside and
the "cream of the crop" must be picked and placed in the
White House. The current administration's legacy is filled
with doom and gloom but rainbows have been known to
appear after the most terrific storms.
Something to think about.
©Arleen M. Kaptur
July, 2007
About the Author
Arleen M. Kaptur has written numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. Her latest book will be out in 2008.
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