|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Starzl
Father of Modern Transplantation
I think the American Dream has come to be distorted. The original American Dream was simply that we must have here a meritocracy where we don't inherit wealth, influence and power. It's come to mean, at least in political arguments, the right to get filthy rich. And I think that's a mistake. That is not the American Dream that our forbears had. That dream was to be free: freedom of expression and the right to climb as high in worthy causes as your abilities would enable you to do. It was pretty simple. It had nothing to do with money.
View Interview with Thomas Starzl
View Biography of Thomas Starzl
View Profile of Thomas Starzl
View Photo Gallery of Thomas Starzl
|
|
|
Martha Stewart
Multi-Media Lifestyle Entrepreneur
Martha Stewart: For me, an American Dream, if you read Theodore Dreiser, or you read other people who have written about what they consider the American Dream, it always has to do with monetary success, or poor boy makes good, or that kind of thing. To me that's not what it's all about. It's about, actually, when you get to be my age, having kind of a serenity about your life, and a good feeling about what you have done and what you can still do.
View Interview with Martha Stewart
View Biography of Martha Stewart
View Profile of Martha Stewart
View Photo Gallery of Martha Stewart
|
|
|
Robert Strauss
Presidential Medal of Freedom
I think that what we have to strive for is the kind of America that we almost have, and we are getting closer every year, and that is an America that has the kind of opportunity and climate that everybody can dream. It's hard to believe you can expect some of these poor people who are born into poverty and into homes with no parent, no father, no mother, alcohol, drugs -- you can't expect those people to have dreams. But I have found that everyone in this country who has an opportunity does have their own individual dream. Maybe it's just for a job that pays a good wage, and that's a very good dream for some people. For other people, it's the presidency, or great wealth, a great invention. But as long as we have the kind of climate where people can dream, then they will dream, and a lot of those dreams will come true. But an awful lot of people in this country today cannot have that kind of dream, because it would be too foolish. We're moving in the right direction, and I am always an optimist, and I am very high on that climate becoming the climate that permeates this country all the way across, not just for those of us who have been more blessed.
View Interview with Robert Strauss
View Biography of Robert Strauss
View Profile of Robert Strauss
View Photo Gallery of Robert Strauss
|
| |
