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Sometimes it seems our political leaders in Washington can't agree on anything
But there's actually one thing they do agree on
And we hear it all the time: America is the greatest
Yet something very troubling has been happening to our country in the past few decades
We're letting our greatness slip away
Let's look at where America now stands - where we rank
in comparison with the world's twenty advanced democracies
Among these countries, sad to say, the United States now has...
the greatest inequality of incomes; the highest rate of poverty;
the second highest high school dropout rate; the highest consumption of anti-depressants per person;
the worst score on the Environmental Performance Index;
the worst scores on social mobility and even on gender equality;
and the list goes on and on.
There at least 30 key areas where America has slipped to the bottom.
The fact is our country is headed in the wrong direction.
But there's another America...
America the Possible
It's the place we'd truly like for our children and for ourselves
And we better get moving in this more promising direction
because with issues like climate change facing us
the possibility of a bright future could simply vanish.
If we want to achieve America the Possible,
We need a new American Dream. As Eleanor Roosevelt said:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
So what is the new American Dream?
Clearly, we want an America where all families feel safe and supported
Where all Americans are empowered through education and opportunity
to achieve their human potential.
Where the benefits of economic activity are widely and fairly shared.
Where everybody has clean air and clean water and healthy food
In America the Possible, our neighborhoods are safe and resilient
and fun places to live.
Instead of feeling isolated and distrustful, people know their neighbors
and they care for one another.
Local businesses stay rooted and keep money in the community.
And the virtues of simple living, community pride, and good citizenship are widespread.
This is the America we want. But how do we get there?
Of course, we've got to demand - really demand -
action from our representatives in Washington
Let's demand for starters that Washington get busy delivering more jobs and decent pay
But we must also start building this America the Possible ourselves
in our homes, neighborhoods, and cities.
So here are some changes we can work on right now
First, localize.
Let's root our economic and social life in our own local communities.
If we can, let's live closer to work, walk more, and drive less.
Eat locally-grown food
In social life, let's engage more locally
Let's participate in community service groups, get involved in local government,
and invest in locally-owned businesses and local renewable energy.
Second, practice Plenitude.
Instead of searching for meaning and acceptance through what we own and what we buy,
let's find real abundance in the things that really matter
the things that bring happiness and joy: like family and friends,
the natural world, spirituality, meaningful work,
and giving rather than getting.
Third, let's evaluate our work-life balance. Strive to work fewer hours
and free up time for family, hobbies, and skill development
volunteering, exploring nature, participating in the arts, and sports
Let's rediscover some of the old-fashioned values
like frugality, sharing, and thrift.
Fourth, we need to get a lot more serious about our environment.
Let's each live lightly on the planet and demand environmental regulations that
can protect us from toxic chemicals and climate change
Teach our kids to love and appreciate nature
encourage schools to emphasize environmental education
and to pursue "no child left inside" programs.
Fifth, let's build a world that's family-centered, not growth-centered.
Let's focus more on measures of real community wealth,
such as social and natural wealth, and less on GDP.
That means giving top attention to how our children and young people are doing
their education, their right to loving environments,
good nutrition and health care, and freedom from violence.
So here's the good news: Each of these things is already underway
in different forms across America. When we look around,
we see individuals and families and communities pioneering in these areas.
In the end, it all comes down to us: the American people.
Let's prove that we still have it in us
to use our freedom and our democracy in powerful ways
to create a new America the Possible.
An America where the pursuit of happiness is sought
not in ever more getting and spending but instead
in the growth of human solidarity and real democracy
and devotion to the public good and a deep respect for nature.
These are all American traditions
And they are being reawakened across our great land today.
They beckon us with a new American Dream: an America the Possible.
Drawing on the best who we were, and are, and can be.