When people talk about the American Dream, it is usually discussed in decidedly materialistic terms – owning a home, creating a better standard of living for our children, or enjoying the annual vacation some place warm. Two years ago, ABC News polling czar, Gary Langer, said we were witnessing “no less than a diminution of the American dream” after polls showed that Americans were spending less on things like dining out, taking vacations and buying cars. After looking up the word “diminution” (when something is getting smaller), it’s hard to deny that fewer Americans are “livin’ the dream.” In fact, consumer confidence figures have been in the cellar for the longest period since this critical economic indicator was created. As a result, most commentators aren’t as polite as Mr. Langer, gleefully declaring that the American dream is dead. But is spending the metric by which we measure our happiness as a nation?
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Author:Robert Hatta
