What is living the American dream? The answer usually involves opportunity. America’s lofty ideals extend opportunity, especially to people who come from other nations rife with oppression, political dissension, widespread poverty and corruption. The statue of liberty lifts the lamp of freedom to all who come seeking such opportunity. In difficult times the dream is harder to define.

Some see the loss of values, ability to thrive and ideals of equality deteriorating. They see values are for cheap, trashy goods, and partisan conflicts. Consumption drives shallow greed and destroys the health of people, places and even productivity. Many see the American dream slipping through the cracks caused by poor stewardship of human and natural resources. The once great land of innovation, can do attitude and independence born through inter-dependence is a faded glory to many.

The dream is not just for foreigners of course, people already citizens in the USA envision a better life in America, even now in the age of modern discontent. They note that not just millionaires can achieve. Several people have become presidents, powerful and rich, even though a few were born non wealthy or without benefit of having been born into a into a powerful family. In this sense, Barack Obama, being born in obscurity and relative poverty exemplifies the American dream.

Yet there is hostility and argument about this. Some people, even very patriotic ones, such as many Tea Party members see Obama as a threat to the American dream. Who is right? Can everyone be right?

The beautiful opportunity that America is founded upon says both sides are right. In the USA, everyone is guaranteed the freedom to not only have an opinion but to express it.

The American dream, if one may murder to dissect it, is a notion that America is exceptional in every way. Militarily for example, the U.S has more bombs and tanks then most of the world’s armies combined. It also, however consistently has the highest rate of gun shot deaths and murders. This was never what the founders of liberty intended.

The American dream also usually is associated with material success. To have more of everything, status, clothes, mansions and servants is the great American dream for many people. It sells lottery tickets by the millions, this is a “I have it all” version of the dream. Yet, when really pushed to think about it, most people concede wealth is not what brings happiness, nor does the status of having it, as then people instantly gain the worry and stress about someone else wanting to “take it all.” To them, owning wealth and status is forever a threat of having it lost again.

The American dream is embodied in the hope inspired by such values. It is only when some believe all resources, both earth extracted, and human powered, should be controlled or manipulated by a selfish capitalism of an elite that the dream dies. When a greedy few try to own, control and dictate rules and limits upon others is when the dream fails. Similarly it is only when people connect, and united appreciate gifts of earth enough to defend, share and celebrate them, that such dreams thrive. Capitalism that is unselfish helps dreams flourish.

Without belonging and unity, there is no American dream. It is diverse and shared opportunity that is the foundation upon which all American dreams thrive.

What do people really pursue when they want the American dream? Living the American dream, all can agree, is about connections. To feel belonging and connected, loved, cared for, admired appreciated and secure is the goal to anyone who thinks freedom and opportunity are portals to that goal. Some see wealth as an instant way to be wanted, even adored, because when culture is shallow it is easy to buy friends and invite them to large McMansions for large parties. Let’s not lie; there is actual appeal in this.

Still, consistently whether billionaire or homeless street person, happiness is about sharing any abundance, of any kind, with others. And having the opportunity to share human and natural abundance is a fulfillment of the American dream.