The American Dream is still alive and kicking.

I went to have an infant car seat installed at the fire department today. My wife and I are expecting our first child soon -- within a month. Talking to the firemen as they finished up the paper work, one of them told me about his own son, who since the age of three has wanted nothing to do with his mother -- "It's daddy all the way," said the man. Then he added that his son wants to be a fireman. He seemed disappointed in this. "Don't want him to follow in your footsteps?" I asked him. He shook his head no and then said, "I want him to make more money." It struck me how poignant that notion is -- the American Dream, no less.