Thomas Paine: The American Dream

All over the world people hear of and have been striving to live the “American Dream.” In 1791 Thomas Paine, an intellectual revolutionary, believed that America was a diverse country that was accommodating for its people. In his book “Rights of Man” he says that in America “the poor are not oppressed, the rich are not privileged… and their taxes are few.” None of these ideals are completely true in America today. Think of your favorite celebrity, what kind of a life do they live? Unlike Paine’s ideals most celebrities live privileged, lavish lives. Will Smith has been very famous for most of his life, from Fresh Prince to Men In Black. He has made more money than most people ever do and because of his wealth his family can live a very privileged life. His children are both under the age of fifteen and they wear clothes that cost more than a car. His family lives in a house that has more rooms than any family of four could ever need. While they live their very privileged lives there are families that are poor and …show more content…
Compared to other countries they might be smaller but for their outcome they are not as helpful to the citizens. In Sweden the taxes are fifty percent of a person's income but they cover cradle to grave health insurance, anything they need. I work at a dry cleaner, since being hired in May I have made just under $3000 year to date. I have my taxed taken directly out of my checks and I have had almost $600 dollars taken out of that $3000 for taxes since May. These taxes are not low compared to the benefits one receives in other countries with their higher taxes. I am sixteen years old and am saving for a car while Jaden Smith, who is younger than me and cannot drive, already has a car and does not need to worry about saving. The American Dream might be something that people in other countries desire, but the ideals thought to be supplied in that ‘dream’ are not as wonderful as they are thought to