The Times They Are A Changin... Or Are They?

            The 1972 election, in my opinion, seems to mirror our last election in many ways. The most evident similarity between the two is the idea of a moralistic American Dream versus a materialistic American Dream. However, I would not say the final candidates for both party truly represent these two opposites. For the republicans, I would most definitely suggest that Donald Trump is a believer in the materialistic American Dream, for he addressed this many times during his campaign. Trump loved the story of his “small loan of a million dollars” because he genuinely believes other people can have the same opportunity (maybe just not that grandiose). Trump’s campaign revolved around this idea of financial success. And, if that is what you are looking for in life, I think Trump’s ideas could be very tempting. While that is not my personal mindset, I do understand people’s urge to follow in the materialistic American Dream.

            Now that one side is covered, we have to pick someone for the moralistic American Dream. Personally, I would not associate that with Hillary Clinton, but rather Bernie Sanders. Though not the DNC’s choice in candidate, I find Sanders exemplifies this idea of a moralistic American Dream. For starters, Sanders whole campaign revolved around helping those less fortunate.  Sanders, who is obviously progressive, was willing to take money away from his paycheck if it meant instituting a universal health care. He was not in it to chase material greatness, but rather to push our morals to new heights. If the DNC had chosen Sanders, I believe the election would have been a battle between morals and materials.

            We live in a world where we need morals. It is imperative that we come together and strengthen our nation from within. This illusive chase for materials has lead us to forget that other people, not only matter, but matter a lot.

            Fisher makes a claim “thus the central message of the 1972 presidential election concerns the reaffirmation and subversion of the American Dream.” I definitely agree with this statement, not only for 1972, but other elections as well. American politics has almost become a constant reaffirmation and subversion of the traditional American Dream on a daily basis. As Americans, we are constantly battling with each other on all issues. It’s amazing anything is even accomplished at all. Instead of pushing for division in this country, we should be focusing on bringing us all together to successfully bring prosperity, both materialistic and moralistic, to this amazing place we can call home.

            Fisher also predicted that, due to the outcome of the 1972 presidential election, many people would lose hope in the American Dream they believed in. He states, “if we neglect our moral ideals, America is headed pell mell to 1984.” I think there are still enough people willing to fight for a moralistic American Dream that all hope is not lost.