Actually, this is what I wanted from this thread in the first place.
Looking up some information on Max Weber, I see the connection... when once I thought about what the "American dream" had originally stemmed from, I attributed it to the original Purist pilgrims, which, more or less, is distilled Catholicism (works equates to salvation from a hot, fiery hell; good motivation indeed). The American dream is an interesting ideal, since only a few things constitute what might be considered the traditional "American life," that is, a good wife, a good job, a good house, a boy and girl, and a perfect retirement. Seems that the current sociopolitical situation, coupled with the fact that the baby boomers are eating the nation's healthcare and social security money, is changing what might be considered the "American dream."
Cheers indeed.
