I am puzzled! Hardly a day goes by without the appearance in the news media about the “American Dream.”

The American Dream has a long history. It is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, who proclaims that “all men are created equal” with the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

For most, the American Dream is stable economic growth, better jobs for our kids and retirement at 65.

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals, (democracy, rights, liberty, and equality). There has been the American Dream, that dream of the land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.

I can remember hearing my father’s words of how he felt coming to America at the age of eight. His family was drawn here for the national spirit of openness and promise of social equality.

My dad believed he was in the greatest land of opportunity where independence is valued. He told me everyone can succeed with hard work and determination. And he did attained the American Dream.

A great many people follow the American Dream to have a greater chance of becoming rich. Some assume that the ease off achieving the American Dream changes with technological advances, availability of infrastructure information, government regulations, state of the economy, and with cultural values of American demographics.

In a period of reflection research explains that history, American Ideals, Literature, political leaders, public opinion, dreams of consumerism and other countries of the world have had an effect on our country.

Did we drift from the Vision of our Founding Fathers? Did the worse depression since the Great Depression kill the American Dream? Did the recession force us to rethink today’s America Dream and return to one envisioned by our Country’s Founders?

What is the American Dream today? Is this an inequality problem? Is this the end?

The Center for a New American Dream is a nonprofit organization with a stated mission to “help Americans to reduce and shift their consumption to improve quality of life, protect the environment, and promote social justice.” Is this another way of effecting the future of the American Dream?

No matter what the American Dream has become it retains much of its imaginative magnetic power.

For the holiday season do not forget or miss these wonderful events.

The Tree of Life Celebration and Tree Lighting sponsored by Biddeford Medical Center and Sanford Medical Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. This year’s theme is Doves which represents the International Symbol of Peace.

The 13th Annual Festival of Trees – Come enjoy the forest of unbelievably decorated trees and wreaths at the Dyer Library and Saco Museum starting Friday, Nov. 24 to Dec. 30. This is a time of wonderful family events.