As James Truslow Adams put it best, the American Dream is the “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and full of everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” From his novel published in 1931, The Epic of America, Adams emphasizes the dream is not about wealth and greediness, but self-actualization and personal fulfillment. However, time has seemed to morph the American Dream ideals, making it the anthem for money, material items, and corrupt morals.

 The “New World” was first created as a place to escape British nobility and royalty. It was meant to be the land of the free, leaving taxes and the monarchy system behind. The Declaration of Independence emphasizes these ideals. Most Americans are familiar “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.” The key words are even capitalized in the Declaration to stress the true meaning behind the American Dream. It was once clear that the American Dream was meant to serve as opportunity to all to live a fulfilling life, and not fulfilling by the means of money and possessions.

 Today’s economic, political, and social realities set the tone for the new American Dream. Being well off is nice, but is not enough. A running car gets you from place to place, but it is not the prettiest on the lot. Clothes that keep you warm serve their purpose, but not if you are not sporting the most popular labels. We see this everyday with the most recent political example of the former Virginia governor and his wife. According to the Washington Post, Maureen McDonnell wrote an email the night before her husband, Bob McDonnell, was being sworn in as the Virginia governor.

 “We are broke, have an unconscionable amount in credit card debt already, and this Inaugural is killing us!!” said Maureen McDonnell. Jonnie R. Williams Sr., a wealthy businessman hoping to get his new dietary supplement out to the public, would “help out” the McDonnells financially in exchange for a little advertisement. He decided to start this business proposal once he heard Maureen McDonnell complaining about not buying an expensive enough dress. The McDonnells received over $165,000 worth of luxuries and vacations from Williams just to boost his company, Star Specified, according to The Washington Post.

 The McDonnell family is not alone, and plenty of Americans are overcome with the want for wealth. To make the matter worse, once one’s wealth is attainted, there still never seems to be enough. Why be a millionaire when you can be a billionaire? The idea of satisfaction is slowly dwindling away while the power of wealth becomes today’s backbone. It is time the old American Dream morals made a comeback, emphasizing family, community, and content.