I don't think the American dream has changed. But when faced with survival, and one group is offering you assistance, and the other group is wanting to cut your assistance, and neither is promoting a plan to change the scenario so you no longer need assistance, who are you going to vote for?
The GOP is stupid for going after entitlements before fixing the economy, and if Romney names Ryan as VP, then Romney may well lose this election.
Now you know why FDR was popular with many Americans despite the Great Depression and high unemployment.