The American Dream Is Out of Reach—But Here’s What We Can Do About It

Neoliberal capitalism has failed us

Now what?

The wealth gap has widened exponentially. An oligarchy now runs our country. And people feel hopeless when it comes to affording basics or aspiring to home ownership. 

Income mobility has declined over the last half century. Meaning, my inflation-adjusted income relative to my parents’ income at my age has gone down. And that’s true across the board. 

I see this when I walk around my parent’s neighborhood and realize that my husband and I can’t afford anything there, despite them having purchased their house at a younger age than I am now. 

Which beings me to, 

Housing is too expensive. There hasn’t been enough affordable or moderately sized homes built, particularly in city centers or close to jobs. See how home builders contributed to an epidemic of loneliness.

We lack investment in and commitment to equality for women and people of color. Bias, discrimination, and prejudice run deep. 

The lack of policies supporting women and families have contributed to a persistent wage gap, decline in birth rates, and resentment around unequal distribution of unpaid domestic labor. We need universal paid family leave, subsidized childcare, school lunch programs, paid sick leave, wide protections for reproductive healthcare, right to work part-time and right to flexible work arrangements that don’t sacrifice health insurance, and to reiterate, affordable healthcare and health insurance that’s not connected to a 40-hour a week job. 

Our health system is being gutted by Private Equity firms while Pharmacy Benefit Managers and insurers squeeze every dollar out of the system for their own profits. The financial burden of health coverage has suffocated the average American, sending people into bankruptcy or forcing them to forgo care for years, sometimes decades due to affordability issues.

Wages have been stagnant. Labor unions are declining. Did you know, it was labor unions in the 1930s who got the work week down to 40 hours/week? Without strong labor unions, and organized and empowered workers, who is pushing for better working conditions, flexible work arrangements, shorter work weeks, and higher pay? Hardly anyone. Or, at least no one with enough clout to actually make a difference across the system. 

Meanwhile, inflation has been high, due to wars, supply chain shocks, and profit motivations. And likely will be high again because of tariffs enacted out of arrogance. 

So with wages not keeping up, prices out of control, and the American dream of home ownership out of reach for more and more Americans, it’s no wonder the country is resentful, and looked for change. 

I’m not sure how that change comes in the form of an already ultra wealthy white man, who by definition represents the status quo. He is a rich, white, heterosexual, cis-gender man. 

Am I scared? Yes, especially after the first two weeks of this new administration, I’m scared as hell.

And also, I acknowledge my privilege and that I have it better than many. I’m white, educated, a natural born citizen; I have savings, and I live in a mostly liberal city. But I also know that as a woman, I’m among those being marginalized and oppressed. 

When national policies and politics are failing us, what can we do? 

Do you throw up your hands and cover your eyes, ears, and mouth for the next 4 years? 

Finding Agency and Taking Action

Despite the mess we’re facing, especially the fear that our rights and liberties are being stripped away, I want you to find some sense of agency. Some semblance of control and ability to take action.

Here are some ideas:

Look around you. Yes, your neighbors and your local community. They need you. And, they can help you. 

Don’t know your neighbors? Now’s the time to go meet them. Be friendly, say hi, offer a helping hand or a useful resource, or lend a tool, a book, or a cup of sugar. Or, ask for what you need. Libraries are a great space for sharing and connecting with community.

Consider joining a mutual aid network. These are voluntary, collaborative exchanges of resources and services for common benefit that take place amongst community members to overcome social, economic, and political barriers to meet common needs. Look up mutualaidnetwork.org or mutualaidhub.org for ones near you.

Find organizations that are working to protect your rights and liberties, and support them, whether by contributing money, time or your expertise. For example, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, or Planned Parenthood. 

From a personal finance standpoint, understand your spending and whether its reflecting your values and priorities. Pair back your spending. Consider shopping locally instead of on Amazon or at Walmart. Save more, ideally in a community high yield savings account. Be prepared for higher prices, job loss, higher interest rates, and a cash crunch.

Have more resources? Consider impact investing. Align your money with your values. Invest in women, founders of color, projects or businesses serving people of color. And remember your community: hyper local businesses can benefit from your loans, grants, investment, or expertise. 

I already invest in women founders. This year I will also be reviewing investments in underrepresented founders, businesses serving historically underserved communities, and reproductive justice. I’m also on a steering committee for an investment group focused on historically underfunded entrepreneurs, local businesses, and using creative capital to fund those fledgling companies. I advocate for legislative action on environmental issues.  And I want to see what further opportunities there might be to influence policy related to families and economic justice. 

Many friends have told me their plan is to stick their head in the sand and reemerge and re-engage after 4 years.

I don’t believe we can wait 4 years. And frankly, neither can our diverse friends, neighbors, or communities. Our planet can’t wait either. 

So whether you march in protest, write letters to your congresspeople, make friends with your neighbors, join a mutual aid network, or think about taking your investments off of Wall Street, I’ll be here (or on YouTube or my email newsletter) when you’re ready to join the effort. 

When you are ready to start, don’t overwhelm yourself. Start small. Start where you’re at. Practice self-care. Put on your own mask first. Show up for yourself and others. 

And, know, it’s OK to take a break and distract yourself by engaging in a hobby or favorite pastime, listening to music, spending time in nature, or anything else that keeps you sane, nourishes you, and helps you to feel safe. 

We’re in this together. We’re in it for our own self-preservation. And we’re in it for the long haul.