By Jim Jordal

Historian James Truslow Adams coined the phrase the "American Dream" in The Epic of America during the dark days of the Great Depression in 1931. His hope was to rekindle the fires of innovation and hope for those who had seemingly lost their way in the economic debacle. He believed that life for Americans should include not necessarily riches or great possessions, but the opportunity for social mobility based upon ability and achievement.

"The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement….It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position," said Adams.

The reality of poverty here in Minnesota is huge, and growing.  It can often be overwhelming to hear the stories.  The statistics.  It’s understandable that many of us find ourselves feeling anxious, indifferent, angry, at a loss.  Our ability to make a difference or affect change seems naïve. 

At A Minnesota Without Poverty, we believe that each of us can make a difference.  And we believe that people working together to become informed about the reality of poverty and the issues that affect poverty can make a huge difference, and can affect tremendous change.    We offer this “What’s enough?” series in response to and in support of the remarkable work begun by faith leaders and the Minnesota State Legislature in the mid/late 2000s. It draws much of its material from the original 2020 ENOUGH FOR ALL: A Discussion Guide for People of Faith.  We hope that it will be useful in providing one way for people in faith communities to begin talking about the concept of “enough”, to more fully understand the issues of poverty here in our state, and to be energized in imagining ENOUGH FOR ALL in “A Minnesota Without Poverty!”

Click here for a copy of the "What's Enough?" Discussion Guide

An Invitation ~ Please study, discuss, and enjoy this resource and other resources found on our website.  Give us your feedback; we invite your ideas and suggestions for improvement!  We continue to revise, update and add to our materials.  This particular Guide is still a work in progress, so please let us know how it works for you and changes we can make to improve it.  Questions about the contents of this Guide may be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Beth Rademacher at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Any or all portions of this discussion guide may be reproduced without prior permission, provided the source is cited.  A Minnesota Without Poverty. What’s enough?

 

 

 Jim Jordal is a retired teacher of economics and American history who now lives in rural Chisago County, Minn. He has studied his passion — economic justice — for many years and writes newspaper columns, blogs and study lessons on the subject. He writes the occasional blog for A Minnesota Without Poverty and presents his thoughtful and often challenging ideas right here.  You are invited to give your comments also.

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ENGINES OF CORPORATE WELFARE

By Jim Jordal

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that the people of the United States ordained and established the document to among other things establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Today these foundational values are becoming empty words under the impact of various powerful groups having agendas very unlike what the Founding Fathers envisioned for the people.

It’s becoming more obvious every day that the federal government and to a lesser extent state governments have become engines of corporate welfare. They exist, not to insure peace and justice to all citizens by promoting the general welfare, but to protect the power of large corporations and their wealthy owners by promoting policies favorable mainly to the top I percent.