American Dream

I read this article http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2012/01/17/american-dream-may-be-missing-point-teen-speaker-says/.  It is about the American dream being totally wrong.  There are two parts of the American dream.  For some they want to be rich and live easy and fun filled lives.  Others however just wanted to be treated as equals to other people they only want to survive and make a better future for their families.  Unfortunately people often focus on the more self centered point of view and name that the American Dream.  However is that what we should think?  I think that the American Dream should not be defined as having great power and material wealth.  Rather the American Dream is much more intellectual.  It is about freedom of speech and the opportunity to rise from nothing to something.  People are often envious of the rich because they think wealth will fulfill their American Dream and make them happy.  However that is not needed for happiness.  The American Dream should focus on improving what you have and setting yourself up for success rather than being comparatively greater or lesser then someone else.  The American Dream is a competition only against yourself no one else.