Corruption The American dream is that if a person abides by the rules, works hard and has initiative, then his family and he will have the opportunity to live a life of comfort, pleasure and possible wealth. For centuries, people have been emigrating to America in search of the American Dream. Unfortunately, in today 's society, the American dream is often corrupted. This is evident in how African Americans were treated from the 17th century to the late 1960 's. Another example of the American dream being corrupted is in David Mamet 's screenplay, Glengarry Glen Ross. Here the American dream is corrupted because of greed, wealth and lack of proper direction. Inspirational author Stephen Hawking once said "we are in danger of destroying
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An example of this is in the court of law. In America, all citizens must follow the same set of rules and laws. No person is above the law. At least that is how it is supposed to be. The saying, "you do the crime, you do the time" has been tossed around for generations, but unfortunately this is not the case. Over the course of history, people have avoided "doing the time" for their crimes because of their wealth. Although not proven in the court of law, an example of the wealthy getting off the hook is when former NFL standout player O.J.Simpson, was cleared of murder charges when it was obvious he committed the crime. Even today, people with money often get cleared of charges because rich people can afford lawyers and poor people often cannot. Another example of someone with money who got off the hook is in Scott Fitzgerald 's novel, The Great Gatsby, when Daisy runs over and kills Myrtle but does not get in any trouble because she has money. Having money provides stability and security. Working hard and making a lot of money is what the the American dream is all about. Being rich does not mean one is corrupt. However, becoming rich off illicit business is a corruption of the American dream. A person who corrupts the American dream is Jay Gatsby, because he obtains his wealth through questionable means. When Jay Gatsby was asked how he made his money his response was "That 's my business" (96) and "I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I 'm not in either one now." (Fitzgerald 96) It is very suspicious how someone such as Jay Gatsby could be so rich at such a young age. This quote supports the fact that his ways of making money was corrupt and not honest. Although people are encouraged to work hard for their riches, often times people take the liberty and try to cheat to stay a step ahead of their
An example of this is in the court of law. In America, all citizens must follow the same set of rules and laws. No person is above the law. At least that is how it is supposed to be. The saying, "you do the crime, you do the time" has been tossed around for generations, but unfortunately this is not the case. Over the course of history, people have avoided "doing the time" for their crimes because of their wealth. Although not proven in the court of law, an example of the wealthy getting off the hook is when former NFL standout player O.J.Simpson, was cleared of murder charges when it was obvious he committed the crime. Even today, people with money often get cleared of charges because rich people can afford lawyers and poor people often cannot. Another example of someone with money who got off the hook is in Scott Fitzgerald 's novel, The Great Gatsby, when Daisy runs over and kills Myrtle but does not get in any trouble because she has money. Having money provides stability and security. Working hard and making a lot of money is what the the American dream is all about. Being rich does not mean one is corrupt. However, becoming rich off illicit business is a corruption of the American dream. A person who corrupts the American dream is Jay Gatsby, because he obtains his wealth through questionable means. When Jay Gatsby was asked how he made his money his response was "That 's my business" (96) and "I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I 'm not in either one now." (Fitzgerald 96) It is very suspicious how someone such as Jay Gatsby could be so rich at such a young age. This quote supports the fact that his ways of making money was corrupt and not honest. Although people are encouraged to work hard for their riches, often times people take the liberty and try to cheat to stay a step ahead of their