The American Dream Martin Jischke

The American Dream
The American dream has become a topic of interest as of lately. The concept that the American Dream exists is still a controversial argument. Today it is a question of whether the average person can actually achieve it. Millions of immigrants make the journey to America every year seeking the possibility of a better life; with the right amount of dedication it is possible to achieve success. The American dream is still alive, society just has various interpretations of it.
The American Dream can be accomplished with the right tools. In “The American Dream” by Martin C. Jischke he states,“ I represent just one of many millions of Americans whose lives and futures have been changed by the power of education” (74). Jischke’s

grandfather was a poor German immigrant with almost no education (75). He goes on to proudly pronounce that, “I am surely living the American Dream” (Jischke 75).

Jischke is the perfect example of an ordinary American who surpassed his limited boundaries. He proves that an American can come from a humble background and still move up in the success ladder. Martin C. Jischke is firm believer that the American Dream lies in the hands of our future graduates (75). After all, he was the president of Purdue University for almost eight years; as he gives the commencement speech he says the American Dream entails more than financial success, and more than popularity, that it is a matter of opportunity (Jischke 75). The power to gain knowledge freely, learn from past mistakes, and achieve the previously unachievable, is what the American dream has to offer (Jischke 76).
In Shikha Dalmias “Long Live the American Dream” she goes on to portray the strengths of America compared to China and India (85). It is popularly believed that China and

India have a more disciplined educational system than America. According to Dalmia, there are five reasons why America outshines both of those countries (83). America Wastes no talent, the largest amount of wealth in the United States comes from an intangible capital such as, effective government and a functioning judiciary system (Dalmia 86). “Such intangible factors put the equivalent of 418,00 at the disposal of every American resident,” notes Dalmia, “India and China respectively amount to 3,738” (84). America is responsible for providing public goods such as: water, sewage, and roads. Dalmia explains how India's public good necessities remain “primitive” (85). By comparison, America surpasses India in the infrastructure department by a landslide (Dalmia 85). The United States provides false promises when concerning Social security. The seniors receive much less than what was originally expected, however, China's elderly citizens have it way worse being that, “China offers no public safety net to the vast majority of village-born,” Dalmia affirms (85). America's poverty level is not as elevated as the other two countries. India and China's poverty levels are millions above Americas with some living on less than a dollar a day (Dalmia 85). When it comes to education, America is the land of opportunity with thousands of public schools available around the nation. China and India seem to surpass American children when it comes to standardized tests, but that is only because proper education is primarily focused on those with high intelligence. The rest of the children are overlooked by society (Dalmia 85).
America is the land of equality, therefore in The Epic of America by James Truslow Adams, he affirms what the American Dream should include (Adams 91).

The power to grow emotionally and reach specific life goals lies in mindset of each person. Truslow was a marvelous historian who initially came up with the infamous term “The American Dream” (91). It is because of him that thousands of people seek and question what that dream truly means. To Adam the simple relationship between an employee and boss was sacred. In America looking at each person with equality is highly expected. This is why America leaves such high expectations for the rest of the world. The United States is known to be the land of the free where each person has the same opportunity as the next guy. The simple fact that people in America have room to choose what they want from life is extraordinary (Adams 91). According to Adams, “The American Dream opens all sorts of questions” ( 92). The true meaning of succeeding and being financially set will forever vary on the

individual.
In conclusion, America is the land to live in if one wishes to be free. The entire nation's motto should be “equality.” The United States surpasses other countries in education, standard of living, and public services. The desire to strive has been embedded in this beautiful country; immigrants all over America can agree with that. Today people continue to make the journey to America in search for better jobs and a better life. If America did not provide the opportunities it does, people would stop making such journeys. The American Dream is still alive, society just has to want it bad enough to actually achieve it.