If you’ve ever looked around and felt frustrated with the direction of our country, you’re not alone. Whether you’re worried about the rising cost of living, the influence of big money in politics, or the growing divisions between Americans, it can feel like something is deeply wrong.
You work hard, you care about your family, your community, and your country—but too often, it feels like the people in power don’t listen, and the country you love doesn’t live up to the ideals you hold dear.
And yet, for all our struggles, there’s still something undeniably special about America. This is a nation built on the promise of freedom, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. From the moment we declared our independence, we have told ourselves a powerful story—that we are a land of opportunity, that we stand for justice, and that we believe all people are created equal.
We teach our children about the bravery of the Founding Fathers, the courage of those who fought to end slavery, and the determination of the women and civil rights activists who expanded the promise of liberty.
America has never been perfect, but we have always been at our best when we confronted our greatest challenges head-on.
- We ended slavery not without struggle, but with a hard-fought Civil War and the moral leadership of people like Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
- We expanded the right to vote to women not because it was easy, but because generations of suffragists refused to give up.
- We defeated fascism in World War II not because we were the strongest at the start, but because we came together as a nation, set aside our differences, and worked toward a common goal.
- We put a man on the moon not because it was simple, but because we dared to dream of something bigger than ourselves.
At our best, we have always been a nation of problem-solvers, doers, and dreamers. But something feels different now. The problems we face today—rising costs, stagnant wages, political division—seem unsolvable, and instead of working together, we’ve been encouraged to fight one another. The left and the right see each other as enemies rather than fellow citizens, and too often, our leaders exploit these divisions rather than trying to bridge them.
But what if I told you that despite all the shouting, the disagreements, and the anger, we actually have more in common than we think?
What if the real problem isn’t that we want different things but that we don’t know how to talk to each other about them?
Consider this: Most Americans, whether they lean conservative or liberal, want good jobs, affordable healthcare, and a fair shot at success. Most of us want safe communities, strong families, and a government that works for the people rather than special interests. The disagreement isn’t usually about what we want—it’s about how we get there.
The right talks about freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government, while the left speaks about justice, equity, and systemic change. But if you strip away the labels and look at the core of these beliefs, you’ll find that both sides ultimately want a government that serves its people, a society where hard work pays off, and a country that lives up to its founding principles.
Throughout history, we have only made progress when we have found a way to work together. The civil rights movement succeeded not just because of activists, but because people from different political backgrounds came to recognize a shared moral truth. The fight to end child labor, create a fair workweek, and establish Social Security succeeded when both business owners and workers saw the benefit of a stable and productive workforce.
We have tackled crises before, and we can do it again—but only if we stop seeing each other as the problem and start recognizing that the real enemy is division itself.
This is not a call for everyone to think the same way or agree on everything. That has never been the American way. This is a call to start listening and to understand that words like “freedom” and “justice” mean something to everyone, even if we use them differently.
This is a call to recognize that our problems are big—but we are bigger.
Our best days are not behind us. We are still the nation that defeated tyranny, built the greatest economy in history, and landed on the moon. We are still the nation that, when we come together, can do the impossible. If we can learn to communicate—to speak to one another in ways that reflect our shared values—we can build a future that is stronger, freer, and more just than anything we have ever imagined.
The America we believe in is not gone. It is waiting for us to create it.
Creating A Better System For All Americans
Seeing the challenges we have to overcome and finding solutions can seem overwhelming. The problems of our time—whether economic uncertainty, political division, or global threats—can appear insurmountable.
History has shown us that when the people of the United States put their minds to solving a problem, there is no power on the planet that can stop us.
After all, we are the country that, within a decade of deciding to do it, put a man on the moon. We took on a challenge that many thought was impossible, faced every obstacle with determination, and pushed the boundaries of human ingenuity. We didn’t wait for someone else to lead the way—we became the pioneers.
This spirit of perseverance and innovation has defined our nation time and again. We abolished slavery, expanded civil rights, and overcame economic depression. We built railroads that connected a continent, constructed skyscrapers that touched the sky, and developed technologies that reshaped the world. Every time we have faced an impossible task, we have risen to the occasion—not because it was easy, but because we refused to accept that it couldn’t be done.
The challenges before us today demand that same resolve. They require us to think boldly, work together, and refuse to surrender to cynicism or division. We must remember that our greatest strength is not just in our wealth or our power, but in our ability to come together, to innovate, and to meet adversity with unwavering determination.
If we could send a man to the moon, we can rebuild our infrastructure, reform our institutions, and secure a better future for the next generation. If we could overcome past struggles, we can overcome those of today. The only thing standing between us and progress is our willingness to take up the challenge. And if history has taught us anything, it is that the American people never back down from a challenge.
Creating a system that works for all Americans must contain many elements.
We begin our journey by looking at some of the challenges faced by Americans today, and learning about ways that governments around the world are attempting to address similar issues in their own countries. The goal is not to convince you of any specific solution, but instead to trigger your imagination to build upon those solutions.
Using this knowledge, I hope you will be inspired to take action, and channel that inspiration in a very specific way:
- Imagine a community where everyday citizens, much like you and me, come together to tackle pressing local issues.
- Envision a nation where the spirit of democracy thrives—not just in our founding documents, but in our daily lives.
At the heart of this vision lies the concept of Citizens’ Assemblies, a testament to our enduring belief in government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Citizens’ Assemblies embody the core of our democratic ideals. They bring together a diverse group of citizens, selected through a process akin to a civic lottery, ensuring representation from all walks of life. These assemblies delve into pressing issues, engaging in informed deliberations to craft recommendations that reflect the collective wisdom of our communities.
Our nation’s strength has always been rooted in the active participation of its citizens. From the Minutemen who stood ready to defend liberty, to the civil rights activists who marched for justice, America’s story is one of individuals coming together to shape their destiny.
Finding Financial Solutions
Central to the concept of improving one’s financial condition must necessarily begin with ensuring that all citizens of our country are provided with a baseline level of income that meets their basic needs.
For our purposes, we are going to use the assumption that any person capable of working a full-time job should expect that job to provide them with sufficient income to meet their basic needs.
For those unable to work, such as those with physical or mental disabilities, it would naturally be society’s (i.e., the government’s) job to provide for the needs of those individuals.
We are not going to attempt to discuss the many nuances of exactly what this would mean or how it would be implemented. Instead, we will focus on what income would be sufficient to meet the needs of the average American.
A Look At Income Through The Decades
Since 1979, wages for the top 1% have grown by 138%, while wages for the bottom 90% have only seen a 15% increase, indicating significant wage stagnation for the majority of workers.
While the American Dream hasn’t disappeared, it has fundamentally transformed. The once-simple route of getting an education, purchasing a home, and starting a family now necessitates much more financial planning, two sources of income, and frequently high debt.
Many Americans are still in a tough spot. Nearly 30% of all US households said they spend more than 95% of their disposable income on necessities such as housing costs, groceries, and utility bills, according to a Bank of America Institute report, up from 2019 levels. That share is higher, at around 35%, for households making less than $50,000 a year.
Wage growth finally began to outpace inflation in early 2023, with US households on the lowest end of the income spectrum seeing their wages grow the second-fastest, according to Atlanta Fed data. But their earnings have slowed sharply since then, trailing the wage growth of the richest Americans as of November 2024.
Over the past century, the United States has experienced significant transformations in its standard of living, marked by notable advancements in economic prosperity, healthcare, education, and technology. These developments have collectively reshaped the daily lives of Americans, contributing to a higher quality of life.
The U.S. economy has undergone substantial growth, with real per capita income increasing by about 2% annually over the past two centuries. This consistent economic expansion has led to remarkable improvements in well-being for both the affluent and the less fortunate. However, the distribution of this wealth has become more uneven in recent decades.
The proportion of adults living in middle-class households decreased from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021, indicating a shrinking middle class and a rise in economic inequality.
Advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and public health initiatives have significantly increased life expectancy. In 1900, the average life expectancy was approximately 47.8 years; by 1950, it had risen to 68.2 years. By the late 20th century, life expectancy had further increased, reaching 74 years for men and 79 for women by 1997. These gains are attributed to better medical technology, higher incomes, improved diets, more education, and the emergence of health insurance.
The 20th century introduced numerous innovations that transformed daily life. The widespread adoption of electric lighting, indoor plumbing, automobiles, air travel, and television revolutionized households and workplaces, significantly enhancing the quality of life. These technological advancements have made daily tasks more efficient and have opened new avenues for entertainment and communication.
Educational attainment has seen notable improvements. Since the 1880s, the average years of education among Americans have nearly doubled, contributing to better job opportunities and economic mobility. Higher levels of education have been linked to increased earning potential and a more informed citizenry, which is essential for the functioning of a democratic society.
Despite overall progress, challenges persist. Income inequality has widened, with real wages for many workers remaining stagnant in recent decades. The American Dream once painted a clear picture: work hard, buy a home, raise a family, and retire comfortably. This path seemed accessible to anyone willing to put in the effort. Today, that dream feels increasingly elusive for millions of Americans.
Over the past several decades, our nation’s financial landscape has transformed dramatically. In 1946, household debt represented just 15% of our country’s Gross Domestic Product. By 2008, that figure had skyrocketed to nearly 100%. The federal debt tells an even more startling story, climbing from $395 billion in 1927 to an eye-watering $35.46 trillion in 2024.
These aren’t just abstract numbers. They reflect profound changes in how Americans live, work, and plan for their futures.
Our middle class has steadily eroded, with the proportion of middle-income households falling from 61% in 1971 to 51% in 2019. The top 10% of earners now account for nearly half of all consumption in our economy—a record level that underscores the growing divide between the wealthy and everyone else.
Had income inequality remained at its 1979 levels, the average middle-class household would have earned approximately $94,310 in 2007. Instead, the actual figure was $76,443—a difference that represents thousands of missed opportunities, postponed dreams, and additional hours worked.
The financial vulnerability many Americans experience comes into sharp focus when we consider that about 34% have no savings whatsoever. While most Americans reported “living comfortably” or “doing okay” in late 2023, more than a quarter of our population was either “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.”
Rising costs have compounded these challenges. Over the past 25 years, inflation has driven prices up by 89% overall. Housing costs have soared by 166%, while college tuition has increased by a staggering 175%. These essential expenses have outpaced wage growth for many Americans, creating a financial squeeze that affects everything from daily spending decisions to long-term life plans.
Perhaps most troubling is what these trends mean for upward mobility—that quintessentially American promise that each generation will do better than the last. For children born in 1940, about 90% earned more than their parents did at the same age. For those born in the 1980s, that figure has plummeted to just 50%.
Amid these sobering realities, one question becomes increasingly urgent for many Americans: How much income is actually enough? In a world of limitless wants but limited resources, how do we determine what constitutes financial sufficiency? When can we say, with confidence, that we have enough?