Community Corner

Has the American Dream Changed for You?

Patch wants to explore the idea of a changing American Dream. What's your American Dream?

The "American Dream" — the idea that here in the United States freedom offers the possibility of prosperity and success for hard workers — has it changed?

Barrow Patch is rolling out a new series called Dispatches to explore the idea of a changing American Dream.

National media outlets are reporting daily on stories about American families, businesses owners and communities adjusting to these trying economic times. National debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we have come to see ourselves and the communities in which we live. 

Find out what's happening in Barrowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At Patch, we don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of dreams to which a multitude of people are working.

Looking out across almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand, college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills. We also see bold, new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

Find out what's happening in Barrowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the purely local level, we want to know where we, the Barrow community, fit along these fault lines.

Nationally, there's a debate about which government-building efforts are "shovel-ready." Locally, the county is facing a deficit in this year's budget, as well as fiscal year 2012.

Dispatches will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in Barrow County go to the heart of your American Dream.


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