What makes you happy? What is your American Dream?
gyardley: I don't think what would make me happy is all that different from the traditional American dream.  I want to be wealthy enough so I can provide well for my current and future family - I don't want my parents, my wife, or my children to want for anything.  I want the freedom and time to be able to teach my children my own values, without interference from others.  I want both the ability and the right to defend what's mine, what I've achieved, and the people who are important to me from outside threats.  I want stability in the outside world, so that the likelihood of these outside threats are minimized.  I want to grow old beside the woman I love, surrounded by my descendants.  Beyond that, I want to be left alone.The purchase of material things are an important aspect of this dream - it's not at all a 'consumeristic nightmare' to want to provide well for your family.Today, I'm happiest when I'm spending time with my girlfriend, my family, or a few good friends, enjoying good food or a good beer.  I'm also pretty happy when I'm doing something intellectually stimulating and lucrative.  I'm delighted that over the past few years I've gone from paycheck-to-paycheck to quite comfortable, and as an immigrant to America I do feel that I've been living the American dream.