Opinion

How do we define America's 'greatness'?

Posted September 16, 2015 1:00 am

Donald Trump, 2016 presidential hopeful, says he wants to "make America great again." He is saying that America is not "great" now. Just what was America like when it was "great"?

Was this when a young person could pay for college by working part-time jobs - or when a head of household could work a 40-hour week and not earn enough to support his family? Was this when the rich paid taxes according to their income - or when corporations set up offshore offices to allow them to pay no taxes at all?

Was this when we had a strong and growing middle class - or when 90 percent of new income in the last 20 years went to the top 1 percent in wealth? Was this when our representatives and senators voted for the best interests of their constituents - or when they voted according to their billionaire donors wishes?

Before the next election, I hope Donald Trump tells us what he means by a return to a "great" America. We need to know so we can vote for the candidate who will work for the welfare of all Americans, not just for whoever gives them the most money.

Karen Wagner

Rolling Meadows

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