The American Spirit - a driving force or an empty phrase?

[Q4U]

Hiya!

I'm writing a term paper on "Revolutionary Road", a novel by Richard Yates. It mainly deals with the American Spirit and the question whether it still exists or not.

Now I'd really like to know what you think... I'm from Germany so I can't really tell if there is an American spirit today. Do you think there is?

What I'm talking of is a unifying spirit, a spirit that makes you feel American. It may be about rebelling against the government (that's what it used to be like during the Revolutionary War) but it may have changed, of course...

Please let me know what you think!

I'd really like my final conclusion to be based on your opinions!

 

Thanks a lot! =)

 

Here's a video of Obama's New Year's Message. He's also talking of the American Spirit so this might help you understand what I mean:

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/30/a-message-new-year-president