A few years back, I had to make an emergency trip to Ecuador for my 18 year old daughter who became sick during her gap year. I've travelled a lot, but this time When I came home through customs and saw the big American flag hanging down, I smiled. I dug out my notes to remember my thoughts. God bless America and Happy 4th of July!

Sure we have problems. Violence. Racial wars. Gender inequality. Education woes. Abusive Leaders. Security breaches.

But at least we have a system that tries.

I spent the last 2 weeks hearing about corrupt governments who create jobs but then charge 3x so they can skim the top. I learned about leaders who place friends in all the power positions. I learned about propaganda that claims 6% unemployment rather than the real 60% because the math includes people who work 4 hours a week. I learned about a lack of infrastructure such as dangerous transportation where looters steal your luggage on a bus trip as they distract you into buying candy. I learned about the prejudices across South America that send populations running for asylum. I watched children learn about sustaining their own disaster stricken towns in order to survive in lieu of learning higher education.

At least we have a system that works together even when we are working apart.

True , as a team, we are capricious.

We demean the 1% who have more than they could ever spend while we disregard those who can't afford to eat. We disparage the elderly and ill while preaching for welfare. We devalue immigrants who complicate our economy while insisting on productivity. We criticize race and gender conflicts as we attack the status quo. We criticize the media while insisting on the truth. We demand free public education while expecting excellence for all. We use fear to win votes while we fear all options.

Yes we are not always fair. But we are predictable.

And at least we have a system that tries. Tries for things like;

Personalization with privacy
Propagation with Sustainability
Customization with efficiency
Innovation without chaos
All in all
Freedom without danger

Maybe the American dream isn't to receive a good economy so everyone "can have".

Maybe it's more about a change in each of our own mindsets.

Maybe it's ok to NOT live in the biggest house or drive the most admired car or travel to the most exotic place or get the most coveted job.

Maybe it's NOT about 1st asking what do I want to be when I grow up, and NOT 1st asking what will make me happy , and NOT 1st asking which presidential candidate is going to put the most money in my pocket.

But rather 1st asking what legacy can I leave?

Maybe that's the new American dream

Newark Minutemen is a story about legacy. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/163195...