What happened to the American Dream?

What happened to the American Dream?  It used to be that we knew that if we worked hard and saved, we would reap the benefits.  That is why so many people came to this country and struggled to be successful--- ---now we are being told you can be successful, but it is not yours to enjoy.  Don't get me wrong-I help people; I donate to those who can't help themselves and I do not begrudge it, but I very much resent being told I have worked too hard and saved too much so now I need to give it to someone who has chosen not to work hard.
My parents did without fancy things and a  house.  I was dead meat if I came home with less than excellent grades.  They wanted to make sure I had the money and the ability to go to college.  We lived in a single wide trailer until I graduated from college.  My dad traveled and stayed in rooming houses if there was no work near home.
Now after living frugally for 60 years, my mother is still having to pay taxes on her savings and I am afraid my kids had better spend every penny they earn before it can be taken away from them with future tax increases.
I really do not resent helping children, the disabled and the infirm, but I do have issues helping people to feel like the third child on public assistance is their right.  I chose to stop having children when I did not think I could support more.  No one gave me a pay raise when I had another child, and when one actually turned out to be two, no one gave me extra money-in fact I had to pay double for day care, diapers, doctors and formula.
It is ironic that we donate our too small or no longer wanted clothing and furniture to help out those less fortunate, but they are not the ones shopping at the consignment store.   Instead, the more well off people scour consignment and Goodwill stores  for bargains so the money can be given to the less fortunate so they can buy brand new.....
I remember when at Christmas we were asked to donate gently used-not mutilated-toys for those less fortunate.  Now we get lists from people that include things that I have chosen to NOT afford for myself.  We are told not to donate used items-the same with clothes.  Someone's house burns.  They do not have insurance and we are told to make cash donations only.  Last I checked, the dishes, towels, furniture they owned were not brand new.   Why have people gotten so greedy?  Why have people gotten such a sense of entitlement.  Oh that's right, in our attempt to help those less fortunate  we have made it easy to be less fortunate so for many people there is no reason to try to improve.
I've actually had students tell me people who work and pay taxes are stupid.  Sometimes I almost agree with them.