Is Bush's American Dream Yours? Labor Wants to Know

Ever since Change to Win began, we've been paying attention to something we think is a key indicator of working people's fortunes: how they feel about the American Dream.

The American Dream means different things to different people.  But just about everybody out there who works identifies with it; and if they feel like the American Dream is getting farther away for themselves and their children, rather than closer, then something has seriously gone off the rails in America.

Now you can add your voice to the discussion. Take the online Working American Dream survey and let us know: what does the American Dream mean to you and your family? Do you feel that you've achieved your American Dream? And after a term and a half of Bush economics, has it gotten closer, or farther away?

(More after the jump...)

As I noted above, we've been following how working men and women feel about the American Dream for some time now; we've conducted two national opinion surveys on the matter over the last year alone.

The results of these surveys have been startling and stark. Here's some of the findings from the most recent survey:

• On the wrong track: By a two to one margin (64% to 26%), workers surveyed believe the economy is headed in the wrong direction.
• Feeling left behind: More than 4 out of 5 workers surveyed (82%) agree with the statement "No matter what you hear about the economy, working families are falling behind." More than half agree with this statement strongly.
• Getting worse, not better: More than two thirds of workers surveyed (69%) believe that it will be harder for their children to achieve the American Dream than it has been for them.

(Here's a summary of all the key findings, and if you want the raw data, here's that too.  Both documents are PDFs.)

These figures are a little stunning. America is a famously optimistic nation, and our whole culture is built on the idea that give our children better lives tomorrow by working hard today.

What does it mean when almost every working person you ask now believes that the reasons for that optimism have disappeared?

That's why we're trying to open up a broader conversation about the American Dream -- and the first step in that process is by giving everybody the chance to share their views on the future of the American Dream.

To make that possible, we've created an online version of the same surveys we've been conducting across the country:

• The Working American Dream Survey, 2007

This online version is open to everybody. Whether you think things are good and getting better, or bad and getting worse; whether you're a proud union worker, or someone who's never even contemplated joining a union; no matter what your background, I want to invite you to take the survey and share your voice. The American Dream, after all, belongs to all of us.

•  Tip Jar

  What does the American Dream mean to you? Sound off!

  by ChangeToWin on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 08:40:12 AM PDT

•  George Bush has turned the

  American Dream into the American Nightmare. If you aren't born ahead of the game, you lose.

  This is not what America is supposed to be about. It is supposed to be about people using their talents and education to get ahead in life. It's about having the opportunity to fulfill your dreams, given you put in the work needed. It's about not being discriminated against, no matter what or who you are.(Criminals, especially child molestsers, are an exception to this!)

  And the main strength of America has always been its multi-culturalism, no matter what the racist right have to say. The work ethic that the various cultures have brought to the US has been our main asset for as long as we have been a country. It is being wasted.

  by Demfem on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 09:15:51 AM PDT

  •  We should have a president

    who would proudly go to a Labor Day parade.

    by bettync on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:59:01 AM PDT

    •  We should have a president

      who knows what real labor is..not just cutting brush for exercise.

      by Demfem on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 12:14:37 PM PDT

•  of course, 40% of the public didn't VOTE

  in 2004.  It was a historic turnout, but at that, only 60% voted.

  Don't know what will rouse that other 40% if being poor isn't enough.

  by libertyisliberal on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 09:48:36 AM PDT

•  Interview ...

  I run a blog called "Florida Netroots" -- any chance I could get someone from Change to Win to do an email interview or online chat with us about Labor issues here in Florida?

  by meowmissy on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:13:48 AM PDT

  •  Let's give it a shot

    I can't make any promises, but I'd love to give it a try. Drop me a line with your contact info and I'll start the ball rolling.

    by ChangeToWin on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:31:13 AM PDT

•  Thanks Change to Win!

  Great Diary!

  by jsamuel on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:14:07 AM PDT

•  A decent world in which my child

  can live.  Economic fairness in which all have a chance at a decent life.

  Great diary, CtW.  You all are doing great work.

  by TomP on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:20:12 AM PDT

  •  A video about Change to Win

    Change to Win: New Strength & Unity for Working People

    Seven unions, one mission: To grow the labor movement by focusing on organizing workers across the country and around the world

    by TomP on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:26:00 AM PDT

•  Opportunity.

  America should be - and can be - the land of opportunity once again. Sometimes it feels like the opportunity has dried up for a lot of people. Every kid who is willing to work should have the opportunity to go to college or the technical school of his choice. Everyone should have healthcare. Every working person should have a fair opportunity to own a home and build assets. Every working person should receive enough money to live above the poverty level. Everyone who wants a job should have the opportunity to have a job. Older people should feel secure that Social Security is safe for them.

  I admire Anna Burger very much. If any group can help inspire Americans to work together to regain a voice in government decisions and bring our opportunities back, it is Change to Win.

  ...and living in N.C. I've got to mention that there is a certain guy from my state who would be a president who believes in restoring our opportunities with his whole heart!

  by bettync on Tue Sep 04, 2007 at 10:53:39 AM PDT