Has America's beacon of freedom failed to live up to its credo? The American dream, that working hard would lead to a good life, has faded for many-people who now can't afford healthcare, housing, education, and food because they are struggling within an economic system that favors the rich. America has moved past the Cold War threats of the Soviet Union, but the challenge of a reinvigorated Russia promoting autocrats globally has supported a continuing emphasis on military capabilities at the expense of economic development.
Now, a wide range of global issues directly affect opportunities in our country. Our nation is wracked with racial and political unrest that has resulted in violence, while drug overdoses have killed over a million people. We badly need a comprehensive survey of the challenges facing the nation, assessing how to best balance resources to revive the American dream. The goal of this book is to encourage the development of a comprehensive set of policies, with input from America's citizens, to unify the nation once again.