The American dream is a noble aspiration that still exists. Just understand that it doesn't stop at the American border. I am British but I live and work overseas. I kept it quiet in my job interview, but I am here for largely ideological reasons, the same reason why I am in bitcoin. For me the American dream is about bettering yourself and chasing opportunities. It holds out material gain as a noble thing to be pursued. It means not being shaked down by the tax man to fund social engineering, health care, education and other services. These are better provided by the free market. It means being free to transact commerce and trade amongst your peers for personal gain.
I once saw a documentary about Italian football hooligans. At the time, they would all jeer their own team and call them merceneries. This was due to their high pay. They don't play for the team with passion, they just play for money. One hooligan explained that they come to the match to support the badge, the club and the flag, but not the players. This is how I feel about America. I support the flag, the notion, the ideal, the constitution, but not the "players", the government, the corrupt.
I'm sitting here with a stars and stripes on the wall to my left, and a Gadsen flag above me. I support the flag but not the players.
I am a British citizen. I am embarrased by our national anthem, "God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, Long to reign over us". What kind of anthem is that? Praising deference to fuedalism, aristocracy. Compare to the American national anthem, "Land of the free and home of the brave". I know which one I support.
People don't realise how perilous economic freedom is. Take a look at what I am fleeing from in the country in my birth:
One half of the coalition government want to ban petrol and diesel cars:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10224801/Lib-Dems-ban-petrol-and-diesel-cars-from-UK-roads-by-2040.htmlI am forced to give money to people who have kids:
https://www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit/overviewIn the mean time, my former feudal overlords need someone to help pay their new TV:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expenses_claims_in_the_United_Kingdom_parliamentary_expenses_scandalMakes me think of the old car war slogan: "Better dead than red". Life isn't worth living if you can't be free and prosperous.
