Rita J. Simon seems to be defending people, particularly immigrants, who turn to crime in order to achieve the "American Dream." Granted, she is not condoning crime by anyone, but neither does she point out that the dream driving all of us has for some time had decidedly psychedelic overtones: Not just a home, food on the table, freedom from want--but a bigger home, faster car, fancier clothes, more, more, more!
How strange that on the same page should appear Margaret Holub's article "The Hurdles Are High for Homeless Who Try to Get General Relief." If economic success (however it is defined) is the American Dream, surely economic failure is the American Nightmare.
