tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post6004314188715534079..comments2023-07-29T03:11:22.933-07:00Comments on L.A. - Madrid Files: The Real American DreamCarlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01428125225806322948noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-88173543225979930812008-03-03T16:18:00.000-08:002008-03-03T16:18:00.000-08:00Ditto Bilingual! Well said...Ditto Bilingual! Well said...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-44894296093164095292008-02-27T15:54:00.000-08:002008-02-27T15:54:00.000-08:00Bilingual,The first paragraph of your comment was ...Bilingual,<BR/><BR/>The first paragraph of your comment was better than my whole post.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01428125225806322948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-71298007325467802052008-02-27T12:28:00.000-08:002008-02-27T12:28:00.000-08:00The beauty of the American Dream is that it is dif...The beauty of the American Dream is that it is different for each individual. At its foundation the American Dream is about hope and optimism about the future. It's about expecting good things. It's about the freedom to live one's life the way one sees fit. It's about believing in possibility.<BR/><BR/>The other day I saw a thread on Spaniards.es, an expat site for Spaniards, and somebody asked the members for their opinion of the American Dream, did they think it existed, etc. Without fail, several Spaniards responded with derision, saying that the American Dream was total bullshit. <BR/><BR/>And yet, the top category of questions on that very same expat website for Spaniards is filled with tons of questions from Spaniards asking other Spaniards for advice on how to emigrate to the U.S. They view the U.S. as one of the few places IN THE WORLD where they can leave behind their "sueldos de mierda", finally be able to buy a house AND find a job in their chosen profession without needing enchufe. On top of all this, they know that if they move to the right state in the U.S., they can do all this without being fully fluent in English! Hmmm, sounds like the American Dream, doesn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-13030014932767649672008-02-25T19:04:00.000-08:002008-02-25T19:04:00.000-08:00Well Jever, I might make the same assumption since...Well Jever, I might make the same assumption since you were in fact in the U.S. When I am in Madrid, I am very glad to have escaped L.A.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01428125225806322948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-58329315835146135462008-02-25T13:42:00.000-08:002008-02-25T13:42:00.000-08:00There is a real "American Dream", of course. Peopl...There is a real "American Dream", of course. People go there for advanced education, for a better life, for certain opportunities. And it is real. But - it depends on where you come from nowadays.<BR/>If you come from Europe, the U.S.A. is not the land of "milk and honey". If you are from e.g. Pakistan, it is.<BR/>But a majority of Americans don't know/think about the difference. To most Americans, any new resident must be glad to be here. <BR/>I was there in the early 80s and early 90s and both times I was seen as somebody who must be glad to have "escaped" Europe. Social studies and history would have proven helpful before making such assumptions.<BR/>Again, being able to move to the U.S. can be a wonderful opportunity, but not for everyone. It depends on your origin and your goals (your past and your future).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-62070730347245735232008-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:00Maybe. But the name was given a long time ago - wh...Maybe. But the name was given a long time ago - when it was a lot rougher in the rest of the world. When a "normal life" like we know it now in the US and Europe, was not that easy to find.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01428125225806322948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-2433242142510403752008-02-25T01:52:00.000-08:002008-02-25T01:52:00.000-08:00The "American Dream" maybe Americans gave it a nam...The "American Dream" maybe Americans gave it a name for marketing purposes. For the rest of the civilised world it's called life ;)Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03350192384216936844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-51017848785067697812008-02-24T13:19:00.000-08:002008-02-24T13:19:00.000-08:00No one said life was easy. Both Europe and America...No one said life was easy. Both Europe and America have to compete with countries (and newcomers) who bring our wages down. The truth is we are all going to have to work harder - and probably for less money.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01428125225806322948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77745945549784187.post-17303805494658258982008-02-24T10:52:00.000-08:002008-02-24T10:52:00.000-08:00A: Hey, I have a chance to move to the U.S.A!B: Wo...A: Hey, I have a chance to move to the U.S.A!<BR/>B: Wow, how lucky you are!<BR/><BR/>versus:<BR/>A: Hey, I am moving to China!<BR/>B: Are you getting transferred???<BR/><BR/>Going to the U.S.A. is still a big dream for many people. But you still need to work your butt off to make a living or you will be one of the 45 million without health insurance.<BR/>And you'd better be well educated or you end up working for minimum wages. <BR/>It can be a dream life -- depending on what you leave behind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com