I was inspired to write Launch America! Reviving the American Dream, when I watched the unfolding of the tragic economic downturn and the great number of Americans losing their jobs and then their homes. This was at the same time that a massive stimulus package was approved by the government. This was top-down spending with the intent of keeping the economy from turning much worse. The government gave out the money to states and then the states gave out contracts and then someone got hired and was paid a wage. How much of it went into the worker’s pockets? How much was taken as overhead, profit, equipment or “other” expenses that did not turn into wages? Through these times, unemployment continued to get worse. The high unemployment was then followed by record high foreclosures. I felt deeply for the losses Americans were suffering.
During this time, I also had the opportunity to talk with many of my friends around the country. They were discouraged. With both husbands and wives working they could still barely make ends meet. They discussed with me my how their children had finished college, and now cannot find work. My youngest son, now finishing his third year in high school, questions why he should work hard and go to college? He is watching his brother’s and sister’s friends working through college, ending up with mountains of debt and no job.
In addition talented, experienced executives, highly skilled workers, machinists, teachers, educators and professionals are finding it difficult to find work or advance in their careers. Many companies have cut and outsourced to overseas thousands and thousands of jobs for American workers and executives to save costs. Many of these employees were highly skilled and experienced. Now where can they find work? When you are over 50 years old, its pretty tough. So where is your opportunity? How can you create wealth and financial freedom?
What has happened to the American Dream, The Land of Opportunity, and the affluent middle class? More importantly, I asked, what can we do to revitalize this country? What makes it great and how can it be great again? I was really disturbed and thought there must be a way to reverse this, quickly and effectively. What created this economic nightmare and how could we get out of it?
I realized that it was the pioneer spirit, the entrepreneur, the “I Can” attitude and the innovative spark that in the past has propelled this country ahead. New companies were formed with innovative ideas and services that produced products that the rest of the world desired. These American companies turned into industries that created assets, growth and opportunities for millions of Americans who, in turn, invested in savings, stock portfolios and other assets to create wealth. Many of the innovative startups have grown into worldwide giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, DELL and many others, leading America to its greatness. Many other startups were acquired by large businesses to fuel their growth. My question was: how do we incentivize that innovative gift, that productive spirit, of the American people and give all Americans again the chance for financial freedom? How do we Launch America into the prosperity that enriches all Americans.
What came forward is the book, Launch America! Reviving the American Dream and the Launch America Initiative: An initiative to revive the American Dream at the grass roots level and create a prosperous America. People Helping People, being of service, mentoring and assisting others to manifest their dreams. The foundation of the Launch America Initiative is creating the financial opportunities for men and women across America through the formation of more successful startups and proving more funding to launch these new businesses. We believe that together we can achieve these goals. Together, We Can, I Can, You CanTM.
