Before we act, we must consider not only the misery produced, but the happiness precluded by our measures. The American Dream is very much alive. We live in a country, where hard work and determination guarantee success. America is such a great and wealthy nation that so many people are striving to get here, it is their dream to touch American soil and get a job, car, education and buy a house. Growing up, the life I pictured for myself was much like the one Ward Cleaver, Jr., of Leave it to Beaver, had. Ward Cleaver was the patriarch of the family; he was a traditional professional, with an upper-middle class income, and was happily married. Too happy to be sentimental.  Ward Cleaver and his wife June had two children, Wally, age thirteen, and Beaver, who was just shy of the age of eight. The family lived in a picturesque, two-story suburban house, with a white picket fence and a green lawn.

Of course, Mr. Cleaver had to work very hard to provide all of this, and his wife, June, was a home maker.  Ward worked for a trust company and the big office was in New York. The family had a nice sedan (Ford Fairlane and Plymouth Fury), good schools and friends for the boys, and all of the adults were normal and peaceful and minded their own business. The children had issues, on occasion, but nothing more than grass stains on their pants, a missed homework assignment, or every once in a while, young Beaver was bullied. Back then being bullied meant someone gave you a dirty look, shoved you a little or teased you about your hair, but it was nothing too serious. If there was a problem, the parents would notice a change in the attitude of the children and get to the bottom of it, and it was usually resolved fairly quickly. The typical American family, living the American dream.

Ward Cleaver taught his boys and demonstrated through his behavior that if you worked hard, anything you want to achieve is possible. Ward used to spend a lot of time in the den, of the fabulous home, reading documents or the trade papers, and keeping an eye on his sons. The family would have dinner together, and the boys would have to finish their meals before they were excused from the table. After dinner, Ward and June would sit on the couch and have a peaceful discussion over a cup of coffee (some people can drink coffee before bed and still sleep). I was never much displeased with those harmless delusions that tend to make us happier. Their lives were rendered blissful by an unsought harmony with nature.

For fun, Ward and June would watch TV, attend a school play, have an evening of cards, with friends, or go out for dinner, at a fancy restaurant. Money was never a problem—the economy was going great, everyone was honest, and corporations loved being good corporate citizens. During business meetings, or on weekends, Ward would play golf at the country club. Sometimes meetings are conducted over a game of golf. On weekends, the family attended church. Ward played basketball in high school, so he made sure his son’s played catch, baseball or basketball. Everyone knows that to keep a person healthy, they need to do more than just go to school, they need exercise to stay in good shape and get the blood flowing. The Cleavers did not have any girls, but the Cosby show was a depiction, of an American Family, with boy and girls, living the American Dream.

To me, the American Dream sounds like Heaven, and I believe it is possible. If someone has something you want or like, it is your duty to work hard and get something you want. Americans are good people and love to work hard and earn the things they have. All Americans believe in the United States Constitution and, even if they have only read halfway through it, they follow the laws and moral principles in the very important documents and law of the land. As Americans, we also love our neighbors, no matter if they live next door, Mexico, London, Africa, Asia, Russia, NGC2264 or Mars. We are accepting of everyone and love peace and happiness. He that loves, and is loved by, a race of pure and virtuous creatures, and that lives continually in the midst of them, is an idiot if he does not think himself happy.