Completely Open: I have a dream...

I wonder what the great Martin Luther King would have thought about this country as it is right now?

In light of all this political mudslinging and arguing over what is best for America, I decided to write what I would like to see from this country before I die.  So in the words of the great Martin Luther King Jr, who died 44 years ago yesterday-  I have a dream:



I have a dream that every child, no matter what color, class, or gender,  in this country can go to college.  That they can do so without the fear of crushing debts, in the form of student loans, when they graduate.  Rather, we agree as a nation and as a society that higher education is not a privilege, but a right of all those who desire to pursue it.  We further agree to use our collective resources, money being first and foremost, to lessen and perhaps even eliminate the need for young people from poor or middle class backgrounds to have to borrow to pay for college.  Instead, we agree to take on their tuition expenses and only ask they maintain a certain grade point average or engage in a certain number of hours of community service to "pay" for their tuition costs. 

I have a dream that no person in this country is without health insurance and furthermore that no one in this country is afraid to get the necessary medical treatments they require due to fear of the debts it may incur.   I dream that we come to a time when health insurance is about keeping people healthy and being there when they are not, rather than making sure shareholders are happy.  I long for a time when we put the health of our populace ahead of any monetary interest or cost.  When we realize that we are all in this together and we have an obligation to provide for the health needs of those less fortunate or advanced in age. 

I have a dream that we come to a point where we treat senior citizens with the respect and concern they have earned and deserve.  When we exalt them to the lofty positions they certainly deserve to be at due to their many years of contributions to the work force and to the government in the form of the taxes they paid.  I dream of a time when seniors can enjoy their retirements instead of constantly worrying about  how they are going to manage what little money they have.  A time when they do not need to worry about Medicare expenses or prescription drug expenses.  No, Seniors would be taken care of in their old age and would be able to enjoy their golden years.  It is not just their right, but it is our responsibility. 

I have a dream that the wealthy realize how destructive their shortsightedness is and how it can only cause ruin to this great nation.  I dream of a day when the wealthy realize that they need the middle and working class and must do all they can, with their massive wealth, to ensure the continued survival of the middle class.  I desire a time when the wealthy do not object to paying their fair share, in the form of taxes, and rather look at it as helping to fund programs that serve the common good of the country.

I dream of a time when Americans are not obsessed with material things and wealth.  Rather we collectively seek to better ourselves continually and work to make a difference in each of our individual spheres of influence.  A time when the common good outweighs the individual good.  When we are more concerned with ensuring that the poor and weak are cared for than we are about making the most money we possibly can. 

I have a dream that adult students can have the necessary support they need to pursue and complete a degree.  This support would come in the form of scholarships for adult/returning students, government funded daycare facilities that offer top of the line care and education to those that attend, and lastly emotional support in the form of parent groups and campus resources. 

I have a dream that Socialism no longer holds negative connotations and is no longer looked at with the contempt that it is now by the general public.  I dream we come to a place and time where creating programs that encourage the common good are not held with such contempt and rather are embraced and nurtured.  I hope we come to a time when we realize that caring for the less fortunate is in line with our so called Christian beliefs. 

Speaking of...I have a dream that the Christians in this country either start embracing the core beliefs and teachings of Jesus or if unable, just quietly disband.  I want to see an end to the hateful speech and actions Christians take against Gays and Lesbians, Jews, and even blacks.  I want to live to see this wayward religion find its true footings in the words and teachings of Jesus Christ: Love thy neighbor as thyself, refrain from falsely judging others, give freely to others.  I want a day to come where these principles are not just embraced by Christians, but by all.

I have a dream that gays and lesbians come to have the same rights as all of us and that marriage is not looked at through the dogmatic and narrow lens of Christianity.  Rather, we come to understand that love is love no matter what the genders of those involved are.  I hope for a day when we give gays and lesbians the same rights all of us heterosexuals have enjoyed for many years. 

I have a dream that those in power cease from their petty game playing and get back to the business of the people.  I dream of a time when "winning" in the political sense is looked upon as shameful.  Rather, taking actions that serve the common good of this country is the goal of each and every elected officials.  I dream of a time when fundraising does not win public office, but rather the makeup of the candidate themselves.  I hope for a time when lobbyists hold no sway in the halls of Congress and those we elected concern themselves with our needs, and our concerns, and not those of the wealthy and powerful corporations. 

I have a dream that we the people will rise up against the corporations and corporate influences that seek to undermine true democracy. That we will demand better of those corporations and ask them to be more fair with us, their biggest supporters. 

I have a dream that we once again put Education first in this country.  I dream that teachers once again are respected and in being so are compensated appropriately for the difficult job they do.  I hope for a time when bad teachers are let go and good ones rewarded.  A time when schools have as much money and resources as they need to effectively educate our children. 

Lastly, I have a dream that we can once again come together across party lines in this country.  That we can stop the destructive attitudes and venomous language toward each other and finally decide that only through working together can we accomplish great things. 

I have a dream....