Brokaw’s statement is especially relevant on this day that Americans go to the polls to select the next president of the United States. We have the freedom to choose. We can choose not to exercise that vote if we so desire. We aren’t even required to vote for any one candidate.
In America, it’s all about choices. We can choose where to live and how. We can choose what to eat and how much. In other places around the world, people don’t get these choices. How easy it is for Americans to forget that we live in a land of plenty and a land with plenty of choices. Even homeless people are provided with assistance to get enough to eat if they choose to make use of those services. We can choose to work hard or not. We can choose how we spend our money. Even those who do not have enough money still have the choice to pay this bill or that one. Some people must make the choice to pay for food or prescription medicine.
Regardless of those difficult choices, the important thing about living in the United States is the freedom to make those decisions. We do not rely on a government that dictates what our job must be, or where we must live. As U.S. citizens, we do have the responsibility to pay taxes to our government. Some people make the choice not to pay income taxes even though they may suffer the consequences of that action.
Without choices, our democracy becomes a communist state. Choices are no longer an option. Voting for a political candidate is unnecessary because the leaders are designated by the party. Instead of opportunity created by incentive to work hard, opportunities are equal for all regardless of effort. No choice is needed since everybody is entitled to the same. No more, no less.
I talked to Diana, an ex-Bulgarian who now is a permanent resident of the United States. She said she believes strongly in the American Dream. She said that she now enjoys many more choices here than she did in Bulgaria. Even though most of these choices are a result of economic influences, she still appreciates the opportunities that she now has. And even though health care and education are more affordable in other countries such as Bulgaria, Diana emphasized that Americans have it better in many more ways.
I am glad that I live in America where my efforts are rewarded, and the amount of sweat and time worked equates to more economic resources. More pay for more work is a better way to express that thought. This gives me more choices. I like choice.
Lipton, Joshua. "What is the American Dream?" Forbes.com 03/20/2007 4 Nov 2008
