The 4th American Revolution

I frequently make people mad. Either by what I say or what I don’t. If I say anything with political overtones that is at odds with certain hardened positions of either the Right or Left, people who hold those positions ask me to not be political. Others, who seem to be very angry with our current political scene chastise me for reminding each of us that no matter what is going on at the national level, we can make a difference by living our own lives in a thoughtful, proactive way. It makes it hard to select topics and words to write about. First off, I probably agree with most of you on most things. But if we agreed on everything, these blogs would not add any value. Second, I don’t support a Left or Right political ideology. We live in a time of leadership failure across all institutions. Third, there is one thing the majority of us do agree on and that is the country is headed in the wrong direction and things need to change.

As a nation, we’ve been here before. Four times in our nation’s history we had to stare reality straight in the eye and say, “This is not working; we can do better.” We had to take strong stands to claim our independence, end slavery, and triumph over economic depression. Each time we had to push beyond life as usual to get to a new life as it should be. We’ve done this successfully. Three times. This is the fourth.

It is time for change that is radically better for everyone—even the rich and privileged as well as the poor and the hopeless. Change that is better for business, education, and government. Change that demands thoughtful, value drenched innovation at levels far beyond our current limitations.

The American Dream Project was founded because, as a society and as individuals, we have reached this time of change. The American Dream Project is YOURS. It does not promote a single ideology, political viewpoint or economic scheme. It is not Right wing or Left wing. It opposes greed, self-interest, deception, and incompetence, whether they are found in Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives, labor or management, men or women. It promotes wisdom, common sense, responsibility, compassion, human dignity, fairness and justice. It seeks new solutions to dramatically advance the real American Dream. The Dream that you harbor in your heart, right now.

It is about the freedom to make real choices in the most meaningful dimensions of our lives. Our personal choices do matter. All of them. We must work for worthy employers, start businesses with moral vision, found non-profit organizations that accomplish tangible results, and demand competence and character from our public leaders. So if you are concerned about government corruption, waste and incompetence, do more than just complain to your friends or listen to talk radio. Raise your own voice in emails to your congressman, letters to the editor, or protest in public. Support your candidate, advocate solutions; be a fully engaged citizen. We are not helpless if we are not silent. Above all, if we lead, our leaders will follow. We must set a new standard, and only then will the real American Dream thrive again. The world needs your dreams. Saving it is a big job; it needs all of us.

Happy Independence Day.

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