America is known for this line discribing the American Dream, but what does it mean to you?

To me, it says "persuit" as in, the freedom to persue happiness, not automatic happiness. As in, you should work, and you have the freedom to try to get however much money or whatever job you like.

Welfare (at least the way many people use it) seems to kill this idea completely, and that's why I'm a republican and not a democrat. Now, IMHO, welfare should only be given to the disabled, laid off, or homeless, BUT some people in my town apply immediately at 18 and start having kids to earn more. I don't believe they should get paid/rewarded for having 6 kids, especially when they aren't even married! But that becomes their job, more babies = more money, and that can't be happiness for the kids, and they never learn to care about working so they do it too. That's what makes poverty, I believe. Big business support = more and more jobs = a better economy and standard of living

I know that's just my view but what are y'all's?