Welcome to Today's American Dream! This site is dedicated to restoring the "American Dream" in the vision of America's Founding Fathers. Hopefully, these educational resources will enable Americans to apprehend and appreciate the principles that inspired America's Founding Fathers to pledge their lives, fortunes and sacred honor in order to secure the blessings of Liberty.
The American Dream... the words have been ingrained into us since very early in our lives. But what exactly is the American Dream? What does it mean to you? Is the American Dream still alive today? Are you living it? Consider what others have to say about the American Dream.
To kick off the celebration of their 10th anniversary, Forbes.com "asked more than 60 great achievers, including actors, artists, politicians and executives, to answer the question 'What is the American Dream?'."
Most of today's Americans would say that home ownership is the American Dream. Others would say that it is being your own boss, having your own business or becoming rich and famous. While the American Dream certainly could include some or all of these things, none of them by themselves constitute the American Dream. Rather, they are a result of it. The American Dream is far greater!
"Whereas the American Dream was once equated with certain principles of freedom, it is now equated with things. The American Dream has undergone a metamorphosis from principles to materialism. ... When people are concerned more with the attainment of things than with the maintenance of principles, it is a sign of moral decay. And it is through such decay that loss of freedom occurs."
Thirty years later, in the June 2003 issue of The Freeman, Lawrence W. Reed published an excellent and timely article entitled "The True Meaning of Patriotism". In it Reed writes:
"I subscribe to a patriotism rooted in ideas that in turn gave birth to a country, but it's the ideas that I think of when I'm feeling patriotic. I'm a patriotic American because I revere the ideas that motivated the Founders and compelled them, in many instances, to put their lives, fortunes and sacred honor on the line."
More recently, Chuck Baldwin emphatically stated in his article Can You Imagine This Country?, that material gain is not the American Dream. Baldwin writes:
"We hear much today about the American dream. By "the American dream," most people mean buying a big house, driving an expensive automobile, and making a lot of money. However, this was not the dream envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Remember that, for the most part, America's founders gave up their material wealth and substance for something they considered of far greater worth. Unfortunately, this hedonistic generation knows little of the kind of sacrificial spirit personified in the lives of America's patriarchs.
In the minds of the founders, liberty--with all of its intrinsic risks--was more desirable than material prosperity, if that prosperity was accompanied with despotism or collectivism. So strong was their desire that they were willing to give up the latter in order to procure the former for themselves and their posterity.
How dare Americans today refer to material gain as "the American dream." It is not! It is the freedom to honestly pursue one's goals that should be celebrated. Material gain is only a fruit of freedom, not its root."
Ron Paul on CNBC's Kudlow & Company - 3/20/2008
In the Declaration of Independence, America's Founding Fathers laid out very clearly for us the true meaning of the American Dream ...
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"...
America's Founding Fathers clearly understood that faith in the Creator and true Freedom are inseparable. We believe their worldview was a Christian one based upon the Great Commission of the Gospel and biblically enlightened self-government. As inscribed on the Liberty Bell, they would "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." (Leviticus 25:10)
Solomon once said: "When there is no vision, the people perish." The true American Dream is more accurately called the American Vision. It is the Vision that drove our Founding Fathers to establish our Constitutional Republic as a nation under God. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Samuel Adams, Father of the American Revolution, declared:
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come".
Ron Paul on Glenn Beck - 4/01/2008
In his book, God, Gold and Civil Government, Tom Rose makes a very profound description of what constitutes liberty. True freedom or liberty is more than just having a lot of money. Having wealth will economically enhance a person's lifestyle and give them more free time to do what they want, but that is only one aspect of liberty. True liberty actually has three main parts:
"Liberty is like a three-legged stool. It has three aspects, or legs: the Spiritual, the Economic and the Political. Each leg must be carefully preserved. If one leg is shortened or cut off, the stability provided by the other two will be hampered or lost, and the ideal of Liberty will come tumbling down."
In the final years of his life, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, called upon the American people to
"Preserve inviolate the Constitution, which if cherished in all its chastity and purity, will prove in the end a blessing to all the nations of the earth."
Ron Paul grills Ben Bernanke - 4/02/2008
As Americans we must also educate ourselves and our children in order to better understand our nation's founding documents and how America's Founding Fathers originally intended for them to be interpreted. Thomas Jefferson also said:
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
The words of exhortation from America's sixth president, John Quincy Adams, call out to us from the past:
"Posterity -- you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
"To personally understand and maintain the American way of life, to honor it by his own exemplary conduct, and to pass it intact to succeeding generations is the responsibility of every true American."
The Vision of America's Founding Fathers, the true American Dream, is still alive and waiting to be renewed. Make a decision to be a part of restoring it! Become informed! Get involved! You CAN make a difference! Hold fast to your dreams! Rekindle the faith, hope and love in your heart! Be all that you were called to be! LIVE Today's American Dream!
Life and Liberty "I am strongly pro life. Life begins at conception ... but, I do not believe this should be a federal matter. All issues of life and violence and crime and murder are dealt with at the local level. " more
Debt and Taxes "The people know much better how to spend their money than the government" more
No Taxes on Tips "It is an outrage that waiters, waitresses, and other service-sector employees have to pay taxes on the tips they earn." more
The Inflation Tax "Day by day, every dollar you have is being devalued. You pay an inflation tax without even realizing it." more
American Independence and Sovereignty "I believe in being friends and I like as much free travel as possible and I like free trade, but I don't like more government managements because it essentially protects big industry... " more
National Defense "We seem to have forgotten that our primary objective in the war on terror is to capture or kill bin Laden and his henchmen." more
War and Foreign Policy "The only proper way to go to war, the only legal way to go to war, the only constitutional way to go to war is to declare the war, by the congress, not by the president. The people should be behind it." more
Iraq "A well-intended but flawed policy has produced conditions that have led to a war dominated by procrastination, without victory or resolution in sight." more
Veterans "A top priority for me is to take care of our veterans and I would do that by saving money elsewhere. " more
Health Freedom "Americans are justifiably concerned over the government's escalating intervention into their freedom to choose what they eat and how they take care of their health." more
Home Schooling "My commitment to ensuring home schooling remains a practical alternative for American families is unmatched by any Presidential candidate." more
The Second Amendment "I share our Founders' belief that in a free society each citizen must have the right to keep and bear arms." more
Property Rights and Eminent Domain "We must stop special interests from violating property rights and literally driving families from their homes, farms and ranches." more
Social Security "If all the other members of congress had followed my voting record, the trust fund would be in good shape because I have never voted to spend one penny out of the social security trust fund." more
Education "The federal government does not own our children. Yet we act as it if does by letting it decide when, how, and what our children will learn." more
Health Care " [The Government] is more involved in medicine than many other areas and you see a skyrocketing of prices." more
Environment "I believe that a lack of respect for property rights has led to many [environmental] problems." more
Energy "Any source that truly is cheaper and cleaner, yet still reliable, will not need government help to develop or sell." more
Racism "The true antidote to racism is liberty. Liberty means having a limited, constitutional government devoted to the protection of individual rights rather than group claims." more
The Results of Christian Activism
Bigger Government, Deficits, Wars Without End
I have a great fascination for people who believe that because we live in America and that they claim to be Christian and that they can somehow wrap Biblical language around their decisions, actions, and attitudes, that all the indicators that foretell serious social, political, and economic disasters are suddenly going to disappear like a bad dream. Or else we're just going to be raptured and the tribulation will proceed without us. ... Read More
'But He's No Mike Huckabee'
Shortly after his landslide victory, Baldwin told me that he is "thrilled and honored" to receive the nomination and praised Keyes as "articulate and intelligent." The 56-year-old Baldwin of Pensacola, Florida, is a Baptist preacher, but he's no Mike Huckabee. Baldwin is the antithesis of a glib showman. He's forthright and humble in manner; think Mr. Smith goes to Washington. Baldwin won't be wooing the Religious Right, either, by playing the Christian card. The pastor, a prolific writer (ChuckBaldwinLive.com features his columns.), often criticizes the sycophantic tendencies of his church-going brethren who have habitually supported Wall Street-enabling, wire-tapping, debt-enlarging Republican administrations. ... Read More
A Christian View of Armed Warfare
I am pleased to announce that I have just reprinted as a hardbound photocopy as part of my Classic Reprints series, with the permission of the author, the 1969 book that has been out of print for many years, A Christian View of Armed Warfare.
The author is William Paul (no relation to Ron), a retired minister. This 116-page book is a Bible-based, exhaustive study of Christian participation in war. It contains two parts: “New Testament Teaching on Christians Participating in War” and “Common Objections to Christians Not Participating in War.” The author’s purpose is “to present plain teaching from the New Testament concerning a Christian’s relationship to carnal warfare.” ... Read More
John Hagee: Deviant Theology, Dangerous Foreign Policy
Many people, some influential, some not, think religious belief should guide American Middle East policy. Others would say that that the Bible and foreign policy ought to remain entirely separate and that a discussion of Hagee’s religious doctrine is about as meaningful as trying to decide how many angels can fit on the head of a pin. What individuals on both sides of this debate don’t realize is that Hagee’s highly selective reading and strange interpretation of the Bible put him well outside mainstream Christian belief. ... Read More
International Day of Prayer & Fasting
Endtime Ministries will send a special edition of its Endtime magazine to every U.S. Senator and Representative and to every State Governor, Senator and Representative. This special edition proves that the Real ID is unconstitutional and explains how it will be used to CONTROL every American. CONTROL and FREEDOM are opposites! ... Read More
Should Christians Obey the Antichrist?
Even when he was at the height of his glory and fame and at the depth of his depravity, Elvis Presley was uneasy with being called the "King of Rock and Roll." On more than one occasion, Elvis made the point that Jesus was the only King.
If only all Christians were as sound as Elvis in their understanding about Who their King really is. ... Read More
Chuck Baldwin Defeats Alan Keyes for Constitution Party Nomination
On entering the race, Keyes was the biggest-name presidential candidate the Constitution Party had ever attracted. But he disagreed with the paleoconservative party's positions on the Iraq war and foreign policy more generally. Keyes's supporters tried to modify the platform and were overwhelmingly defeated. Shortly afterward, so was Keyes himself.
Chuck Baldwin -- a preacher, radio show host, and columnist who actually agreed with the Constitution Party's platform on the issues in question -- beat Keyes 3-to-1, a margin worthy of Barack Obama or Barbara Mikulski. Paleocons praised the Constitutionalists for sticking to their principles, which they did, but Keyes's odd notions about how to win friends and influence people also contributed to his drubbing. ... Read More
If I Were President Due to my frequent criticisms of President George W. Bush, I am often asked what I would do if I were President of these United States. This column will serve as an attempt to answer that question.
... Read More
The Libertarian From Nazareth
Whatever one’s religious denomination, a careful, dispassionate analysis of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth compels the conclusion that Jesus was an uncompromising political libertarian. Libertarianism is of course not a faith or a creed, but rather a political theory for organizing civilized society. The written record provides strong, unambiguous support for the fact that Jesus was a political libertarian who very likely had an Austrian understanding of money. ... Read More
Misusing 'Separation of Church and State'
He drafted the Declaration of Independence, was governor of Virginia, and as 3rd U.S. president approved the Louisiana Purchase, commissioning Lewis and Clark to explore it. He sent Marines to fight Muslim Barbary Pirates of Tripoli – but he is best known for his phrase "wall of separation of church and state." ... Read More
An American Theocracy?
How is that we have allowed the Christian Right to be defined by delusional idealism and religious zeal? How is it that American evangelicals not only approved but actually glamorized the war as a form of Christian “mission”? ... Read More
Christian Idolatry
In these United States, there is perhaps no area where the sin of idolatry is more universally practiced than in the area of government. Call it civil affairs, or politics, or affairs of state. Call it what you will, the result is the same: Christians by the millions have surrendered Christ's authority and principles to humanism and pragmatism. ... Read More
War is a Racket
This is outrageous. The grotesque corruption and fraud tied to military spending deserves a unified shout of outrage by conservative Christians; but you can bet your last devalued dollar they won't make a peep. ... Read More
Book Review: Christianity and War Readings in the Age of Empire
One of the great ironies of modern Christianity is how warlike many Christians are. Not all Christians, certainly. And many believers at many times in history have put state and ruler before church and God. Yet it remains striking how many conservative evangelicals unabashedly acted as shock troops backing the Iraq invasion. .... Read More
Only A Miracle Can Save America Now
If God intends to give America another chance, if He intends to return these United States to constitutional government, and if He intends to preserve America's independence, it will only come in the form of a miracle. And miracles do not happen by the machinations of pragmatic planners. Miracles are just that.
... Read More
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The resource links throughout this website are provided for research and educational purposes. The opinions and views expressed are those of the original author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Today's American Dream or it's webmaster. Fair Use Notice We welcome your thoughts and comments on what the American Dream means to you.
![Spirit of Liberty [Ron Paul 2008]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fGN5G22koFc/default.jpg)
