A sense that anything is possible if we work hard enough should be seen as core to our "inalienable right to pursue happiness.” Yet that is a faded or fading dream for millions of Americans. True upward mobility belongs to an ever shrinking few, whether their privilege be defined by wealth, talent, or intellectual achievement. None such privilege should come before the right of any American to live a dignified life working at just one job, giving them the opportunity for meaningful community among family and friends. That is the American dream.
Millions today are shackled by the invisible chains of economic insecurity, working at jobs they hate for no reason except that it’s their only chance at health care benefits; having to work more than one job to make ends meet; lacking access to childcare; seeing no hope for home ownership or in too many cases even a decent apartment. They’re not visiting high end coffee shops in the more elite enclaves of this country; for many, even the prices at McDonalds are too high right now.
Millions of Americans have been erased from America’s political conversation, and it’s only when looking into the hollowness of their eyes that you begin to realize that something is fundamentally wrong. The political elite in this country feel free to ignore them, with a casual wave of their hand as though to say “They don’t vote anyway.”
But they would vote, if they felt there was truly something or someone to vote for.
If the President decides to step aside — which indeed might occur any day now — I will enthusiastically campaign on the idea that Americans referred to above are our fellow citizens and we should care about them. Public policy should exist in support of every American. If America is no longer for Americans then who are we?
Thank for you for providing me the means to prepare for what’s ahead. We are called right now to a mighty task.
