American dream should be more than possibility

We make a grave mistake to limit the American Dream to the mere possibility of betterment. The American Dream should rather be that everyone is provided the opportunities for success. This opportunity lies in quality education, living wages, health care access, justice — available equally to all.

The stock market is booming but so is unemployment and food pantry visits. A robust stock market does not equal a robust economy; the wealthiest 1 percent own 50 percent of stocks. The rich and large corporations’ wealth has grown exponentially while the middle class languishes. CEO salaries have increased 940 percent since 1978 while the average worker’s salary has increased only 12 percent. The minimum federal wage in 1972 was $1.60 an hour, which is about $10 per hour today as adjusted for inf lation using the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculator, compared to the current federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Some laud the American Dream by referencing parents working three or four jobs to educate their children. I say shame on us that we cannot provide essential workers a living wage sufficient to support a family with one full-time job.

The 1952 corporate tax rate was 52 percent, now it ’s 21 percent. The U.S. budget deficit is $3.3 trillion. Should we cut programs that help all Americans —

Social Security, Medicare, health care, education — or tax more fairly? The American Dream should be about opportunity, not about beating the odds.

Peggy Wiltberger

saranac lake