American Dream Pin

I believe in my dream of America.

I believe in the Constitution, and

the Bill of Rights, as written.

I believe in respecting the dignity

of every person.

I believe in providing clean air and

clean water for our children.

I believe that anyone who works hard

and participates in our democracy

should have open-ended opportunities

to achieve as much success

as talents and abilities allow

I believe that freedom of the human spirit,

responsibility for oneself, care for one another,

and cooperation amongst all will

lead to communities living in peace.

I believe in my dream of America.

2004

#9000   American Dream Pin              $ 5.00  free shipping           1" diameter        Metal       Has the appearance of cloissone.      

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Story of the Pin

More than 20 months ago this nation began to engage in a national discussion about war and our national security.   As disparate positions widened, a tone crept into the discourse which was both alarming and frightening to me.   It was frightening because on Sept. 12, 2001 we were all Americans first, with political positions far to the rear of the acknowledgement of those things which bind us, and unite us, and allow our best selves to operate. As the discussion progressed, words like "un-American",   "unpatriotic" and "traitor" filtered into the mix of rhetoric and commentary, and I was enraged.   How could this nation move so far, so quickly, toward a howling disrespect for the core and heart of that which makes all Americans fiercely loyal to this great experiment in living called democracy?   How could we have taken the hatred and anger turned against us so profoundly on Sept. 11 th and spread it so widely against each other?   How did we get here?

Out of my anger the American Dream Pin emerged, as an idea last summer, and a reality this summer.   It is MY version of a flag pin, containing the thirteen stars for the original states who fought for this idea of democracy.   It is about Tom Paine and Thomas Jefferson. It is about national fiscal responsibility. The stars surround a country where the air is clean, the water is pure,   the environment is cherished, and where all hard-working people who fully participate in this democracy have access to the American Dream, each according to his talents and abilities.   My dear friend Leon Cahan, who made this pin a reality, added the wording for the necessity of a community engaged, and he and his wife added those sweet people in the meadow to the pin design, where I had an apple pie with your piece already on your plate. I can be a little literal sometimes.   The pin is about who we were on Sept. 12, 2001 , and who we need to remember we are.   It is a pin we can wear to identify each other, and to begin the discussions again.   It is about who we want to be and what we share as countrymen.

This pin is not about political parties, it is about principles.   The conservative Christian wing of my family sent this out through their network and approved the wording, and the liberal, independent, and green wing of my family and our chums approved the wording as well, because at base, the American Dream does not belong to a party, it belongs to the people,   WE the people . . . (who strive to) promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity . ."   based on a Constitution and Bill of Rights that is as valid today as it was 228 years ago.  

Wear the pin, share your principles, and start a discussion. Oh, and carry the card in your pocket.

Susan Holsapple

July 2004.