The rise and fall and rise again of an American dream

In 1931, the historian, James Adams coined the term “The American Dream.” In his words, “It is a dream of a land in which life should be better, richer and fuller for everyone.” That inclusive dream was overcome by the 1940’s when consumerism took hold in the United States. The American Dream became a shallow goal that could be reached with money. Anyone with money could have a spouse, two children, a house, a green lawn, a white picket fence and a dog named Spot. Ethics, inclusiveness and a better land were not necessary to achieve the dream.

In the last decade or so, it has become clear that the American Dream is unavailable to millions of people. It is also clear that a dream based upon money has no moral value for anyone.

For millennia, there have been those with a far different dream. Theirs was a land free of oppression by rich and powerful overlords. It is a dream of equality of opportunity and justice for all under laws that apply to all.

A modern version of such a land was proposed by the candidacy of Bernie Sanders and his 13,000,000 supporters. The flame of that proposal has come close to extinction by the force of a ruling class and a population convulsed by fear, racism and rage against a perilous future.

A new dream is not yet vanquished. It simmers under the detritus of vicious primary and election campaigns by two corrupt political parties.

In the present context, those of us who guard the flame must also guard against becoming embroiled in recrimination and despair. The responsibility for developing widespread hope is ours. Opposing oppressors is necessary but not sufficient. We must arouse the belief in every person that his/her priorities are part and parcel of Democracy and thereby equally respected as a matter of equality. It must be understood that in such a Democracy, majority rule is essential to avoiding chaos and/or gridlock. A vital corollary is that the views of the minority must be valued and protected to the fullest extent possible. The basis for any law must be an effort to achieve win-win situations rather relying on power-driven solutions alone.

What is lacking in this country and around the world is trust. No democratic society can survive for long without a strong measure of trust among its people and between the people and their government. Somewhere, somehow we must gather together to collaborate in reducing fear and expanding hope. A better society IS possible through the collaborative search for solutions.

Understanding that a cooperative majority has a mechanism for building a true Democracy is a vital basis for hope. That mechanism, despite threats from all sides, is alive and available in the United States.

The mechanism is the public’s right to vote. Voting can change a government overnight. Developing a majority as described here is the challenge. Thirteen million voters drawing from every constituency in the country can be an inclusive catalyst for change. Collaborative voters can create a new American Dream.

It is possible. It must begin now. Cooperate. Vote for change in 2018 and beyond.