Is the American Dream Becoming a Nightmare?

Some people are saying that 'The American Dream has become a Nightmare!'

America is very likely still the best land for opportunity and success in the world. Indeed, other democratic countries look to America for guidance in developing their own infrastructures, government policies, and the like.

However, it does seem that ever since 9/11 the American Dream is turning a corner. I'm sure some turning was fully necessary, as we had become overly complacent with regard to our safety and security from threats nobody ever thought possible!
-We needed to tighten up airport and border security.
-We needed to have our government agencies talk with each other.
-We needed to have fully operational Emergency Response plans and drills.
-We needed to become more 'vigilant' in our everyday activities.
-We needed to understand that not everyone in the world thinks just like we do.
-We needed to be able to act more "proactively" than "reactively" regarding terrorism and similar threats.

Unfortunately, many of these "needs" have also had some negative impacts on The American Dream.
-Air travel is more "bother" today, and many people just won't fly anymore...even though it's safer now than before 9/11.
-Border passage may be a bit slower today...and even slower after passport requirement is enacted...but it's safer.
-Government agencies are doing better, but still fumbling with things (Homeland Security/FEMA/Katrina).
-Becoming more 'vigilant' in our everyday activities appears to have created a sense of distrust and even paranoia in some situations. Seems that most anyone now is a "suspicious character"!
-By pushing our ideas on others around the world, we've become quite 'unloved' by many. We're getting a reputation for arrogance, materialism, Capitalism and even 'bullying' by some.
-By promoting proactive approaches to terrorism, it seems we're seeing a lot of "profiling" taking place by our law-enforcement. That may not be an entirely good thing, as many innocent people can be caught up in something they have no part of, just because of their personal associations, affiliations or choices of religion, etc.
-Fundamentalist religions are coming under closer scrutiny across the gamut of various sects that exist. Somehow, because the terrorists of 9/11 were associated with a particular radical, Fundamentalist Islamic sect, ALL Fundamentalist religious sects come under scrutiny. And the people that make them up may well be under the microscope even without their knowledge!

So...The American Dream...it's still a Dream to me, but I can see how it could eventually become something else if we're not all careful to keep a tight grip on our freedoms!

Hold on...it's bound to be a bumpy ride!