Defining the American Dream,

What is the American Dream? Is it a high payed job? A three car garage? Is it three hots and cot, with a family in tow? People define what the American dream is with about as much consistency as how they define what an American is. The idea of "losing the America Dream" has been an underlying theme in the media of late. From the concerns towards the national debt, and to the campaign pledges from the left and the right, the preservation of the American dream seems to be the underline theme from all sides of the political spectrum.
But the question arises, what is the American Dream? C.N.B.C. had a town hall not to long ago with Obama and people from the public. A recent college graduated at the town hall asked the President a very serious question.

"Like a lot of people in my generation, I was really inspired by you and by your campaign and message that you brought, and that inspiration is dying away," he said. "It feels like the American dream is not attainable to a lot of us." Washington Post

But what is the American dream?  From my education and research as a history major, the American Dream is : the idea that we control our fate and that no matter our start in life
we can define its outcome. The American dream is also about redemption and the idea that you can create yourself and redefine yourself as you so decide. Which is why America has been the immigration destination for the world sense its creation.  This idea of redemption and creation of the self  leads to the diversity in the definitions of what a "American" is.  So the question arises are we as Americans no longer able to live out that dream? Are we no longer able to decide the outcome of our lives?