The Great Nightmare
We're living through an era in America that will be known as the Great Nightmare. Raging inequality, a mental health crisis, and fear-based politics drive us to delusion and violence. As the first group of humans to grow up with widespread access to the internet, our minds have been scattered, we've been detached from our bodies and communities, and we've forgotten our real power in the world. We live in economic uncertainty, hustling in multiple jobs but still never feeling like we're doing enough.
We can change this though.
Just like in a regular nightmare, we have the power to transform the world if we get lucid and remember our power. With that power we can bring an end to the Great Nightmare and usher in a New Dream.
A Dream of Freedom.
The New Dream
The New Dream will bring the power of the American Dream into the hands of everyone, not just the lucky and privileged. It will create a new baseline that makes sure healthcare is a guaranteed human right, all work is dignified, and all are free to truly enjoy their lives.
The goal is to bring us to balance as a society that works to live, not lives to work. That's why the first pillar of the New Dream is the Four-Day Work Week. We have to redefine productivity and well-being for this era. We'll keep wages fair while giving all people the right to rest, reconnect, and grow.
Like the New Deal created a new social contract with Social Security, the New Dream will give each American a Freedom Account. The benefits traditionally attached to an employer will now all go here in one clear, simple place, belonging to you. Your account will give you freedom from fear of losing healthcare, freedom from dependency on a single job, freedom to choose your education or career, and freedom to build real security for your family. Healthcare, paid leave, unemployment, education credits, even dividends that grow into retirement - all portable, all guaranteed, all in your own hands.
And it's anchored by a grand feat of collective national action, the American Dream Fund, a national trust fund owned by the people that's invested to beat inflation and grow forever. It will pay dividends into each Freedom Account that get bigger every year, creating a guaranteed baseline. The Fund will invest in infrastructure, renewables and housing to reduce the cost of living from the supply side and bring in a new century of innovation. And it will be funded by a wealth tax, because the middle class has been sucked dry by trickle-down and the only way to regrow it is to bring balance to the system.
With the people rejuvenated and empowered, they'll be inspired to lead. The corrupt system makes it nearly impossible to defeat an incumbent though, so we need Term Limits to make sure new ideas and energy are constantly part of the conversation. Anti-corruption rules and campaign finance transparency are essential to continually renew our democracy.
Like the New Deal saved us from the Great Depression and built the middle class, the New Dream will rebuild it for the 21st century.
The Freedom Account
Problem
- The middle class is gone. Americans feel trapped in dead end jobs or jobs they hate for the sake of benefits. They don't truly feel free to take breaks or live happily.
Solution
- Make your work benefits portable and attached to you no matter what job you go to. This Freedom Account would include a sum for healthcare, retirement, paid/sick leave, vacation, and training credits. It would also be pooled on a national level for insurance payments. This would be overseen by the Department of the American Dream, D.A.D.
- The American Dream Fund Dividend will be deposited into each Freedom Account to supply a universal baseline of security independent of job status. As it grows it will eventually supply a direct cash dividend as well.
- A minimum wage and paid leave benefits would be applied to dignify every job.
Benefits
- Bring dignity and respect to all work and jobs. Give people the freedom to move and change, and the security to know that they will be ok no matter what happens with their job.
- Level the playing field for small businesses to compete for talent with big companies that can traditionally afford better benefits
The American Dream Fund
Problem
- The cost of living crisis worsens the mental health crisis while the top 1% owns 33% of all wealth and the bottom 50% only owns 2%.
Approach
- Secure the freedom to dream, thrive and have real democratic power for all Americans, not just the financially rich.
Solution
- Create the American Dream Fund, a national wealth fund invested to beat inflation and grow forever. Use the earnings to give each American a Dream Fund dividend deposited into their Freedom Account that gets bigger every year. Trickle-up economics will equip citizens to become more productive and healthy members of the market. See the Alaska Permanent Fund as proof of concept. Protect and manage the Fund with an independent board.
- Use the Fund itself to invest domestically in American infrastructure, renewables, manufacturing, and housing to bring down the cost of living.
- Grow the Fund with national wealth that's being hoarded by billionaires and corporations - carbon fees, natural resource royalties, corporate windfalls, a Wall Street trading fee, and a Wealth Tax on the super rich. Let the magic of compound interest do its work.
It's Time to Dream Again
My name's Matt and I'm running for Congress in New York's 13th District. This campaign is about breaking up the stagnant powers-that-be so the spirit of the people can soar. The Left is all about vision and bold change. If we're not starting any new conversations then it's time for some fresh leadership.
In my family I'm a guncle to four nephews, two nieces, and another on the way. I'm also the son of a small business that my parents have been running for over 25 years. Job-wise I used be an advertising strategist where I organized brainstorms and figured out the best ideas. Now I work at Trader Joes because it's got a great culture and a laptop job just wasn't for me. My dad was born and raised in Washington Heights before his family moved into New Jersey. I moved into Harlem in 2020, served for a year as President of my block association and started a small local spiritual group to share my faith.
Now I want to help equip every American to live a fulfilling life on their terms. We need to bring a new spirit to the political conversation on the Left and I'm the guy to make that happen. It's time to Dream Again.