But to your point about why is the dream still alive and kicking with all of this terrible news, one thing that we didn't bring up is really that the dream has become as much about the journey as it is about the destination, meaning that the dream is our guidepost. The dream is something that keeps us from -- you know, keeps us getting out of bed in the morning. So it's also just as much about the journey as it is about where we're trying to land. -Beth Hirschhorn

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MR. MCLAUGHLIN: The assumption is that hard work and personal effort are rewarded in this society.

MS. CROWLEY: Right.

MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Is that still true today?

MS. CROWLEY: I think that is still true, that if you take big risks, there's always the chance for a big reward or a big blowup, big failure. But that is part of the fabric that has driven American success and prosperity over so many decades and so many centuries. I think when you ask about what is unique about America, I think that still holds true. If you go all the way back to the founding of the republic, you look at this ragtag bunch of country farmers and country lawyers who pulled themselves together and defeated the world's greatest army, the British. Ever since that time, John, we have had this incredible pioneering spirit, whether it's the westward movement or whether it's going off into space.

I think now we've had a temporary pause. But like all temporary pauses that we have had throughout our history, this too shall pass. And I think the question of optimism is a good one, because I know all previous generations have felt optimistic, even in times of shorter recessions than the one we're experiencing now. Positivity will come back.

MR. MCLAUGHLIN: Beth Hirshhorn, welcome. Do you think that the performance of political leaders affects the attitude towards reward, and reward is given for good work? Does it affect the American dream whether or not we have good leaders?

MS. HIRSHHORN: The American people feel that the playing field is not as level as it once was, that the hard work is not all that it takes. It takes some -- a little bit more help than that. And they don't feel advantaged by their leaders right now. They feel disadvantaged by their leaders.

But to your point about why is the dream still alive and kicking with all of this terrible news, one thing that we didn't bring up is really that the dream has become as much about the journey as it is about the destination, meaning that the dream is our guidepost. The dream is something that keeps us from -- you know, keeps us getting out of bed in the morning. So it's also just as much about the journey as it is about where we're trying to land.