I always get a bit queasy over the catchphrase “the American Dream.”  I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard (or read) variations on: “All he wants is his piece of the American Dream,” or: “Owning a home is key to the American Dream,” or: “They came here in search of the American Dream,” or, worst of all: “So-and-so is the very embodiment of the American Dream.”  The familiar phrase implies a widespread desire for economic success, but it does so obliquely, even evasively.  Why not instead say: “All he wants is to get rich, who can blame him?” Read more