Hello John,
I meet and talk to people across the country, and I consider that one of the best perks of working in politics. You learn the most by stepping away from the computer or your phone, going to a place, and meeting people in person where they are. Human interaction is something I wish we had more of in our society—and definitely in our government.
Right now, Americans—all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations—are upset. The American Dream has turned into an American fantasy for so many young people. Older Americans see this unfolding, and they, too, are upset because their children and grandchildren are not getting the same opportunities they once had in the greatest country in the world. America is a place where dreams can come true, and that should never be taken for granted.
I was born in Syria, and in just one generation, I am leading a national organization responsible for helping elect our nation’s leaders. Not too many places besides America would make my story possible. I remember my parents struggling mightily to make ends meet, get their green cards, and eventually their citizenship. I still remember the date—December 4th. I’m not sure of the exact year, but it must have been sometime in the mid-nineties when they had their interview and received their green cards. I graduated from New York public schools and was in ESL (English as a Second Language) courses until my English improved. Then, I was placed in regular classes, and a few months later, in advanced classes and the gifted program. I was able to do all of this because of the opportunities this country provided my family.
But for so many people today, that kind of life is no longer available. And the question is—why not?
Let me share something with you from firsthand experience: When you come to this country with ambition and hunger and match that with opportunity, anything is possible. You know who is probably not coming into this country hungry and eager? Folks who have $5 million to pay for a “gold card.” Yes, they have money, but more often than not, they do not have the same ambition or drive as someone with no resources and no other choice but to succeed.
Now, let’s fast forward 30 years. What happens to our country if we stay on this path? If we block all legal immigration except for the top 0.00001% of the global population, where will the innovation come from that has made America a world powerhouse? That is not a country or society worth being a part of.
Not to mention, everyday Americans are being priced out of some of our most cherished experiences. Our major cities aren’t unaffordable because of hotels for immigrants—they’re unaffordable because the gap between the richest Americans and the middle class has never been bigger. Trump wants to make the best of America only available to the ultra-wealthy—from gutting our National Park Service to defunding our education system to flooding the country with tax-evading millionaires and billionaires.
To fight back, we have to do better. We need our elected members of Congress to do better. Americans do not want to sell out our country to corporations and conglomerates. We do not want our kids to go to school hungry. We do not want to close down public schools or force our veterans to struggle even more than they already do.
We do not want to conquer Canada, Greenland, or Panama, or displace two million Palestinians from their ancestral homeland. This is not what we want. And when I say “we,” I mean all Americans—even the MAGA faithful. We all want the same thing: to live a good life, provide for our families, and ensure our kids have an opportunity to do the same—or maybe even live a little better.
That is the message we need to run on—because it’s true.
Trump’s unilateral, idiotic trade wars are driving already high inflation even higher, while wages remain stagnant. And thanks to Elon Musk, hardworking Americans are losing their jobs. Why? Who voted to cut the VA? To fire our first responders? To cut cancer research? To end USAID? Who asked for this?
The most tragic part? The only piece of legislation Republicans are actually trying to pass in Congress is a $4 trillion tax cut for corporations and the billionaire class. The greed is endless, as is the lack of compassion and empathy for the American people.
We are not backing down—we can’t afford to. We must fight.
We must deliver an alternative to the American people. And most importantly, we must win
the upcoming elections—because children are counting on us.
In Solidarity,
Hassan Martini
