For instance, layoffs, so-called Golden Parachutes, firings, hostile corporate takeovers, union busting, etc. cause thousands of peoples' American Dreams to be instantly jeopardized or destroyed. Whenever a wealthy individual or corporation uses his money or clout to get around rules or laws, fulfillment of the American Dream for the poor or the less-fortunate is often impeded or sabotaged.
Most, if not all of America's problems are epitomized by the Seven Deadly Sins: For instance, the pursuit of the superficial American Dream involves: Lust, Sloth, Avarice, Pride, and Gluttony, in its various manifestations. Racism and crime, which can also potentially jeopardize the American Dream of those victimized by it, is often due to the other two Deadly Sins: Anger and Envy. The material Lust, Avarice and Gluttony of the very rich often tends to destroy the American Dream of the very poor or less-fortunate. Sloth causes certain people to do very little work, but the American Dream is sometimes attained by lazy people by crime or con artistry. Lies and deceit, and similar means of duplicity, which ought to be added as the Eighth Deadly Sin, are a means by which politicians and other dishonest people cheat their way into fulfilling their concept of the American Dream; while cheating honest or powerless people out of theirs. (to be cont'd)
[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays]
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