"The American Way of Life" is a nebulous myth created by people with something to sell. They may want to sell a political philosophy (Americans are proud of their country!), a new car (Americans are independent and can go wherever they want whenever they please!), or underarm deodorant (Americans who smell nice are more American than Americans who stink!). It's a myth aimed at those who either have money or can be convinced that behaving as if they have money is just as good. It permeates our psyches to the point where many of us believe it is our birthright when, in fact, it's a manufactured vision.