The American Dream

It can be many things: a chicken in every pot; two cars and a white picket fence; starting a business; owning a private jet. But above all it is a promise; a promise of an opportunity to achieve your own personal American Dream. It is formalized in our laws and Constitution and ratified by citizenship. It is put into practice in our markets and tested in our courtrooms. It is what binds us together as a people.

It is the most radical part of the American Revolution and what separates Republic from Empire. That is not to say that empires and other totalitarian nations do not try to make their own version of the Promise; often times the monarch was the promise; offering peace and stability, but only to their subjects (David Cannadine wrote an interesting book on the subject in particular).

Those who reject or denounce this country are either unaware or afraid of the freedoms guaranteed by the Promise. Too often, they turn to violence and fear instead of legitimate forms of protest and discussion.

It is what I love most about this country.