BILL MOYERS: The American Dream is an idea as old as the Declaration of Independence, as varied as our many races and colors, as concrete as a winning hand of poker or a brand new car. We've asked you, our viewers, to share with us at our website your vision of the American Dream.

AVERAGE AIRLINE PILOT: The [...] collective Dream Americans share is Abraham Lincoln's and Martin Luther King's vision of a society where an individual American, regardless of wealth or ethnicity, is only limited in his or her best ambitions by the measure of that person's work ethic and personal talents. -Average Airline Pilot

HARVANA MENDENHALL: Growing up in the middle of the Civil Rights changes [...] I dreamed of an America where our differences would be something to embrace rather than fear. Now in the later years of my life, I look around and feel sad. Yes, we have made some changes, but to me they have been tempered by our continued willingness to judge and build walls rather than embrace [...] -Harvana Mendenhall

BETSY GLECKLER: When I think of the American Dream I think of [...] sharing my house and good luck with other people. The American Dream really isn't a McMansion in a soulless suburban street, it is having communion with your friends, neighbors and family. -Betsy Gleckler

MANNY FUENTES: I dream of a nation in which disagreement takes the form of rational discourse, that remembers the spirit of "I do not agree with your words, but will defend to the death your right to speak them." -Manny Fuentes

BYRON GORDON: I hope the American dream dies out entirely and is replaced by some other dream that doesn't have the word, "American" in it. And it's a dream that all of humanity can share and prosper in. -Byron Gordon

MARY: We need no 'American Dream'. What we desperately need is humility. We need to understand that we are only one small part of existence on this magnificent stage of earth. We need to acknowledge our interdependence with all other humans, with all other species, and with the vast natural gifts of this extraordinary planet. -Mary

MARTIN: Before we can take a step forward towards the American Dream again, we need to recognize, collectively, that America has been disassembled and shipped overseas, even as we watched it all happen, believing the promises of "global expansion." Our confidence has been shot through with...betrayals, and, yes, deception... -Martin

MARGARET PAGE: Why a "Dream"? Dreams are nothing but passive wishfulness. [...] Have we become a society of dreamers rather than doers? We can dream all we want about a better life and a better world, but dreaming won't make it happen. Personal commitment and action will. -Margaret Page

RICHARD BARTER: My idea of the American dream is not to wake up every morning wondering how I am going to make ends meet. Not wondering if I can feed my family this month. Not wondering how I am going to pay for college for my two children. Not wondering how to tell my kids to stay in school when PhDs are flipping burgers for a living [...] And lastly not crying because I will never be able to retire. -Richard Barter

SHEILA PARKER: The American Dream has always been right in front of us. We have a beautiful country, great ideals, citizens ready to help and opportunity beyond all imagination. We were too consumed, too busy and too tired to notice the signs along the way. Now we have the opportunity to change perspectives and collective directions as never before. -Sheila Parker

STEVE ZELLER: If "We the People" want our American Dream we damned well better all learn about what is at stake ... We all need to be involved. Everyone that is able needs get educated and must vote. The future of the American Dream is in our hands and we better all stand up and fight for it. I sure as hell am going to... -Steve Zeller

BILL MOYERS: For many more ideas about the American Dream, and the opportunity to tell us yours, visit our blog at pbs.org.

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