The American Dream Deferred

by Cory Booker

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) shares the story of his father’s journey from poverty to middle-class prosperity, but says the bargain that helped his father and other workers achieve the American Dream is now broken. Sen. Booker reflects on the trends and practices contributing to stagnant wages in the United States, including a corporate culture that favors shareholder payouts over investments in workers; barriers to worker mobility, like non-compete clauses; and the “fissuring” of the workforce, as companies today are more likely to contract out labor to low-cost vendors rather than employ directly.

Senator Booker calls for policies that will address these and related challenges, expand opportunity for all Americans, and restore the bargain for all who seek it.

24 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2018

About the author

Cory Anthony Booker is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from New Jersey, in office since 2013. Previously he served as mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013.

Reviews

[Jordan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for 2020

Senator Booker writes a compelling argument for why one should care about the state of our country. He combines a broad-view historical and political analysis of the last 60 years. Much needed at this time.

[Rennie Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit that I didn't actually read this closely, mostly just skimmed it. It's very short (24 pages in print edition, apparently) and the price is right (the Kindle edition I bought was free).

The message is clear that current laws in the USA favor and promote the situation were corporations prioritize short term "shareholder value" over long term company health. This is a slow but sure way to transform the USA into an unstable society that will be left behind in the greater worldwide picture.