Dells celebrates Fourth

A crowd gathered in downtown Wisconsin Dells for the Fourth of July fireworks display and answered questions about what they think the American dream is, if they've achieved it and if the country is headed in the right direction.

Wisconsin Dells resident Debbie Wendt said she was living out her American dream at the fireworks display.

"I guess just having my family here," she said. "...Just having my grandkids here and being able to enjoy it with my grandchildren and breathing, I guess," she said.

Tamara Notter, of Boling Brook, Ill., defined the American dream, "Really I think it is honestly really enjoying the work that you do, living within your means and just being able to make all the different choices you would like to make and know that you have the opportunity to make those choices," she said.

She said people should make a living at what they love to do, not only for what it pays because otherwise they'll be miserable.

Also as part of the American dream is supporting children so they can contribute to society as adults. It's better to spend the money on them when they're growing up instead of possibly incarcerating them when they're older, she said.

When asked how the country is doing, she said a lot of improvement is needed because of the economy.

"I think everybody is going to have to think really carefully at how they spend their money," she said. "Because I think overall, state wise, local wise and federally, we're finding that we owe a lot of money and I know we can't keep doing that."

At the same time she said programs can't be slashed for the needy.

Des Plaines, Ill. resident Betty Andrews said the country needs a new president who keeps campaign promises and jobs in America for Americans. Things have to be manufactured in the U.S., she said.

She also said the country needs a more fair tax system, with the rich paying their share. She spoke out against the federal government giving to some causes for which money should be raised locally.

"But I wouldn't want to live in any other country. I love it here. I wouldn't think of living anywhere else. But we can improve and I know we can do it," Andrews said.

Helena Krakue, a Brooklyn Center, Minn. resident, said she has a different perspective about how the United States is doing. She acknowledged it's harder to find a job now than it was in the past, but she still finds herself in different circumstances than she did in the African country of Liberia where she said there was no free education.

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