I asked the question, so I should answer it too.
My American Bedrock is the kind of America that gives it citizens the best chance of success, when it comes to working hard and doing the right things, so you can achieve the American Dream. What is the American Bedrock we can all build a successful and fulfilling life upon.
In my perfect world American Bedrock would look like this….
Every American kid would grow up in a safe community and would go to a great local school. The teachers would be well paid and respected.
They’d have all the supplies they need and would have the training and education needed to properly educate and nurture our youth into becoming thoughtful engaged citizens. And I’m not just talking great academic schools, but schools with music and art, sports and clubs too. A full, well rounded, excellent education for everyone. Pre-K and Kindergarten through high school; plus college or vocational training afterward. Education is perhaps the most fundamental piece of the bedrock of any society.
The next fundamental piece of bedrock, IMO, is healthcare. In my perfect America we’d all be able to go to the Doctor whenever we need to and not fear it breaking the bank, leaving you indebted or destitute. This should be complete coverage, for full health and wellness, which includes mental and dental, plus any needed meds. Anyone choosing between, food or rent and healthcare in a modern society is a tragedy, and so many do in America today.
The third fundamental part of my Bedrock is the part where we start to give back. After completing the high school level of the excellent education I spoke of above, I think every American student should dedicate one to two years to national service. NOT military service, but service to the citizens and communities all over our great country. The key here is to give young people an opportunity to expand their horizons and be exposed to a much wider world, different communities, different places, different experiences. To see and spend time in different parts of the country and with different people. A way to learn and grown in non-academic community focused activity. Perhaps as a way to gain some experience in fields related to a hoped for future career, but not necessarily.
The key point is, we are such a big wonderful diverse country, but we all live in our little bubbles, not straying far from where ware born. We need to stir the American melting pot down to the bottom and get to know each other. National service would make this part of our culture, and we need it. To me we simply need to get to know each other better, and to me national service would be a great way to make it basic part of the US social contract; see the country, get to know your peers from different parts of the country, spend some time in new communities meeting new people. Give young Americans a couple of years of non-academic growth and exploration, before they have to decide what they do with the rest of their lives.
Because next, after national service, should be training for a future career, perhaps in something that was brought out by national service. Be it college or some other kind of training, this is where a well-educated young adult who has spent some time in the world plans their future path and what is needed to get there. This becomes a much more informed decision after a couple of years out working and growing in the service of our country and fellow citizens.
This final future is hopefully as a productive self-supporting citizens, who would see a clear way to having and supporting their own families in descent affordable homes, another fundamental of life that, like Healthcare, that has become harder and harder for more and more American to afford. As a legendary NYC politician once said; “The rent is too damn high!” And this is the case all over America, from the biggest cities to the smallest towns, descent affordable housing is in short supply. How do we expect to maintain a society and communities without enough livable housing for everyday people.
And this is why our bedrock is shattered and our society is torn, the fundamental structures of our society are breaking down and sadly a few loud voices can drive thoughtful citizens from the room. But we cannot let this happen. The calm and thoughtful must gather their courage and speak up for the country we want to live in.
We must each consider and conceive of our own America Bedrock, the kind of country we want to be part of. A fairer, more just America that cares for the basic best interests of EVERY citizen; truly giving each and every American the tools to live and succeed to the best of their ability and drive.
Starting and growing the next generation knowing they can fully care for and support them till they launch their own lives. An America where everyone feels that they can seek and support the full life of work/career and family as they see it. Then grow old gracefully without fear of destitution.
This is what American Bedrock means to me.
What does it mean to you?
