The American Dream

What does the American Dream mean?

America is a country founded of immigrants, these immigrants came to the United States for many different reasons. Some came seeking freedom from oppression, others in hopes of improving their lives. Either way the American Dream attracted people to the United States, shaping the way our country is run. The allure of the American Dream derives from the intrinsic ethos put off by the United States, a promise of success and betterment of life, through better jobs and freedom from oppression, the very things this country was founded on.The hope of a better life, wether that be through better work, freedom from oppression, or simply a change in the life you were previously living. Either way the attraction to America stems from the American Dream, a promise of succes, prosperity, and a better life.

Bandwagon Fans

For years when I have gone into public wearing Orioles attire, the comments have always ranged from "you know they suck" to "why would you wear that, its a disgrace to our city". Finally the wait is over, and all the hate is gone. Orioles Magic is here! All over baltimore EVERYONE is wearing Orioles jerseys, shirts, hats, ect. Orioles merchandise has become some of the most bought merchandise in the country this year. Now, having a team with sell out games and an exponential growth of fans is great, but what the question boils down to is who are the true fans? What will happen if next year the Orioles go back to their old ways, will the fans still be there? From where I stand, if you are not a true fan, get out. We don't need you. Baltimore has some of the best fans in the world. Yes the fans have exponentially grown, but you can always tell who is the true fan, the man or women walking down the street with the old tattered t-shirt on who has been supporting the O's since the day they were born. Those fans are who Baltimore truly appreciates, they are who baltimore really needs. GO O's!

Religion in America Today

Since religious practices were started, they have been the center of conflict and war. Most recently religion is taking a role in some of the biggest controversial topics in the United States today; homosexuality and abortion. Living in a country where the largest religious group is Evangelical Protestant's a group that does not support same sex marriage or abortion, the controversy is growing. As scientific advancements are made, more and more people are questioning faith, like they did during the Second Great Awakening in the first half of the 19th century. With such a vast questioning of faith religious sects are expanding, 303 religions and denominations today in the United States alone. With such a heated election approaching, the religious aspects and controversies are growing even more. These key issues that are intertwined with religion are becoming key issues of this presidential election. The republican party aligns its beliefs and policies with the Evangelical Protestant Church in not supporting same sex marriage or abortion. From a more open minded standpoint and side in giving the right to same sex marriage and abortion. The relation of political parties and religion are colliding with each other giving leaving true ideals and beliefs in question. This questioning is leading to what ti arguably the next great awakening.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton

"We (contemporary America) worship Jefferson, but we have become Hamilton's America"

Before any research my knowledge of Alexander Hamilton was not much more extensive than knowing he is a founding father and that he is on the 10 dollar bill. Thomas Jefferson on the other hand is someone who is regularly discussed and blatantly is a much more popular person, likely because of his considerably longer life and the lack of malicious attacks he made on other parties.

Hamilton's ideas are almost mirrors of the way our country is run today. His incredibly advanced ideas for the time sought to build a economy based on investment, industry and expanded commerce. These ideas were based around having a national bank, soon to become The Bank of the United States. At the time the United States was in great amounts of debt and it was unclear how they were going to eliminate this debt. At the core of this problem arrose two political parties; the federalists and the anti-federalists. As a federalist, Hamilton wanted to unify the country, and unify its debt. The way out country is setup today in a direct outcome of the dream Hamilton had for the United States. "We have become Hamilton's America"

Essentially, Thomas Jeffersons dream for the United States was the opposite of Hamiltons dream. The fact that we "worship Jefferson" is confusing considering the failure of his dream for the United States. Well failure might be a bit harsh considering he was a founding father and a signor of the Declaration of Independence. However on the grander scheme of things, his individual dream for how he hoped America would be founded strays far from the way it is. Just because his dream failed does not mean he was not happy with the way America turned out. 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the same day John Adams died, coincidence? I think not. Although Jeffersons ideas and dreams for the United States were not accomplished, I believe that he was pleased with the way our country turned out. Jefferson experienced first hand combat on the front lines of the Revolutionary War. He risked his life for out country and fought for what he believed in. For Americans, the fight for freedom is something that our military is fighting for everyday. We can easily relate to this and so Jefferson becomes someone easier to relate to. We worship Jefferson because of the sacrifices he made for our country, the everlasting impact he had on us. Even though we do not follow his specific dream for America the one thing Jefferson and Hamilton did agree on was a free country for all, something we fight to preserve every day.

In contemporary America we worship Jefferson for the sacrifices he made on the front line while Hamilton was safe behind a cannon. I am not saying we should not respect those who serve and served our country, but we should worship Hamilton, for he is the man whose dreams shaped our country into the way it is.