What has happened to the American Dream? Can it still be had? In this rapidly changing world does anyone recognize America anymore? From the sun years of the 50's, the factory and manufacturing society we had in the Sixties, things changing on the world scene and domestically with factories diminishing from then on where are we headed?

 It is easy for me to surmise that if I had been born in a wealthier, entrepreneur type family who had success and a family name dating back centuries in business that I would have a skewed outlook towards the average Joe working man and just simply attach blame to everyone that hasn't "made it".

But i don't surmise that. A simplistic catch all phrase of "its your fault" does nothing for the complexities of the economy and all intricate things that affect the future of every single one of us. None of us should be so arrogant that if we are doing well we dismiss what happens to others as "their fault".

 Since the trappings of the world economy has taken hold all types of things have occurred. "Made in China" has become the Number One threat to us. Outsourcing, moving companies overseas can and has been justified by executives as ultimately producing more jobs for America and increasing the spirit of the economy. Tell that though to displaced engineers or factory workers who do not have a second career to lean on and just have to bite the bullet, so to speak.

The trade deficit is scary to me. The prospect of more and more American assets and land owned by foreign interests may spiral the economy but could ultimately spell trouble if and when those assets were sold off. Maybe to someone not particularly concerned about American interests. It is a very complicated issue and, redundantly, ho hum, yawn examples aside, there has to be a concensus that what is done is good for all of America and not a select few.

When I hear Bush saying we need to get over our addiction to oil, I wonder in what capacity he is willing to maneuver since he is an "oil man" of long standing. After all, it was the Republicans that prevented higher mileage standards on American cars. It is a simple thing for someone to tell you when you want some kind of equity for honest, hard working Americans that you hate capitalism or you hate people. The injustices of unfair trade practices and the "good old boy" syndrome and greed and corruption which have replaced the higher ideals of yesterday are what I hate.

America aneeds to compete globally. But we shouldn't compete to where unfair advantages are given someone in order to stimulate the economy at the expense of turning us in to a third world Country except for the rich and richer. Everyone should have an opportunity to succeed but not be the doormat for those who are more fortunate and do have the capacity, resources, luck, who and what you know, and at the right place at the right time to succeed.

Again, I really hope this is not taken down the road of hating people or hating success, but rather as someone who is really passionate about the livelihood and future of all people, though I admit that may have some naivete to it.