Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Americans believe that having the freedom to choose how they live is essential to the American Dream.
Pew Research Center data shows that
just 1 percent consider it unimportant. In between are 22 percent who consider such freedom important but not essential.
My book, "Politics Has Failed: America Will Not," argues that this American Creed is a unifying core ideal for our nation. It is often expressed as the right to live our own lives as we see fit while respecting the rights of others to do the same. It’s a mindset that suggests we all have the right to make the important decisions about our own lives free from government interference.
Over the years, some have suggested that the American Dream is about getting rich. However, only 11 percent believe this is an essential part of the American Dream. Forty percent (40%) say it’s not important at all.
Only 43 percent believe owning a home is essential to the American Dream.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
Scott Rasmussen is founder and president of the Rasmussen Media Group. He is the author of "Mad as Hell: How the Tea Party Movement Is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two-Party System," "In Search of Self-Governance," and "The People’s Money: How Voters Will Balance the Budget and Eliminate the Federal Debt." Read more reports from Scott Rasmussen — Click Here Now.
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