A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

— Colin Powell

The sun shines on the winds of a cool breeze across the National Mall as I write this post and wrap up my four day trip to Washington DC for the Young Elected Officials Convening. It’s clear there are three issues all Americans are responsible to bring beyond the dream.

1. Equal Pay: It’s time we raise the Minimum Wage to $15.00/hour or at least a Living Wage. If companies aren’t willing to adapt to new economic realities for individuals and families then as one American Community we are responsible for fostering this change. Additionally, it’s time we truly achieve Pay Equity through better protections for workers who are discriminated against and stronger punishments for employers who break the law.
2. Work & Family: It’s time to implement expanded Paid Sick Days for employees, improve our Paid Family Leave laws, and ensure greater Pregnant Worker Protections. We are stronger as an American Community when we protect and care for our neighbors. Strong families create strong communities and any law that doesn’t foster the development of healthy families only contributes to the disintegration of our communities.
3. Caregiving: It’s time to get serious about taking care of the most important members of our community; our children and elderly. No one should have to pay more than 10% of their take home for child care. Combined with a $15.00 minimum wage for child care provides we can ensure our children are cared for as well as those who care for our children. We have a social responsibility to create a nationwide public preschool for three and four year olds, which will ensure we give our children the right start. On the other end of the spectrum we need to start an innovation fund to generate new ideas to address long-term care needs.