I'm not exactly sure when the Dream died for me. It had been under assault for most of a generation at this point. I'm talking about the "American Dream". Work hard, do the right thing, be a good citizen, and all will be well for you. Success will follow as surely as the eagle flies in the sky.
The contrast to that pollyanna-ish thinking could not have been more dramatically highlighted than during the eight years of the George W. Bush presidency, which began fittingly enough with his selection - not by popular or electoral college vote - but with the approval of just five people in a courtroom.
The Republican party, as employees of the wealthy and powerful interests that really control our waning democratic experiment, realized the American public had by now been conditioned to acquiesce to institutional authority, and quickly set about pushing every bit of legislation they could to reward their masters. As in
the last days of Rome, the government was given over to excesses and unethical behavior. Scandals became commonplace. "Family Values" politicians were as likely to be seen in the company of prostitutes or same-sex minors as they were to be seen in front of churches for publicity photos.
There was no substance or integrity anymore, only gluttony for fame and power and self-serving greed. Although clinging to the narrowest of majorities (50/50 Senate with the vice-president presiding as a party line tie-breaker), the GOP rammed through bill after bill, depleting our treasury and burdening future generations with debt as wealth was transferred to the top few percent at a breathtaking rate.
Still, the Dream wasn't quite dead. In 2008 the public heard a new voice calling for change, and responded with a hunger not seen in nearly a lifetime.
We The 
People had spoken. A Democratic party candidate was elected President. The Democratic party was given overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress. Most Americans saw the Dream renewing; tomorrow held new hope for a better day. After all, if the Republicans could cause so much damage with a razor-thin majority, surely our condition would improve with ideas mandated by the landslide of public support.
Yes, good times would follow - the Dream might survive after all.
One year later, a sad realization emerges. It was all a myth. Nothing was real. The Democratic party now tells us it cannot enact legislation because there is supposedly an insurmountable legislative barrier requiring all bills receive at least 60 votes in order to pass. Sadly, they tell us help will not be forthcoming after all. "But stay hopeful", they say, and remember that we have the Dream to cling to in our dark hours. And with that, they adjourn to raise campaign donations from the same sources that also fund the GOP.
At some point it has to occur to the dreamers that it's time to wake up. The American Dream is only that, a dream. In the waking world we live in a country bought and controlled by the rich and powerful. We exist at their pleasure, as their means of production. We are here to serve them, and pay debts well into our grandchildrens' futures for that honor of serving in the American feudal state. The game has been rigged for quite some time. It doesn't matter which lever you pull in the election booth - the outcome will be the same. The frosting on the cake may look different but beneath the food coloring it's basically the same sugary mix.
The Dream is persistent, however. For good reason; it's been propagandized to us
for over 200 years. We were born into this myth. They say that fish aren't aware of the water they swim in, and it's the same for us who believed in an American Dream. The illusion can be powerful, with material gadgets and toys, plasma TV's and new cars disguising our society's actual bankrupted condition. The glitter provides the sensory illusion that things are improving when our collective soul tells us differently.
I do not know when the American Dream will officially die. As long as it lives however, we face tomorrows that will be sustained only on borrowed hope and wishful thinking rather than real promise. The obvious way to change to a new paradigm would be for the masses to reject the rich and powerful's hold on this country through the democratic process. Cynically speaking, does anyone really believe that will happen? Do we really think that the rich and powerful will relinquish their monopolistic grip based on a majority vote? Do we think they'll give it all back if they lose an electoral coin toss?
Worst of all, the owners of our country have us fighting amongst each other, divided into camps and cheering on our pre-packaged parties the same way fans cheer on their favorite sports team. It's entertainment and momentary emotional release - nothing more. Real change has long ago been taken off the table. The choices now are merely between false promises.
For me, I have come to the conclusion that it's naive to believe this way any longer. The American Dream is no more. This empire is in its last days, rotting from the inside. It will end eventually as the cancer spreads. But I don't want to wither with it. It's time to consider a new home, and dream a new dream.
Want further proof that America is going down the drain? Look no further than the recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling, which reports that Fox News is the most trusted name in TV news.
