Create policies for the common good

To the editor:

I owe everything economic I have to three pillars: my parents who raised me in a loving, stable environment and paid for my college education; Franklin Roosevelt who gave me Social Security; and AFSCME, the state employees union (without the latter, I would not have had a decent salary, reasonable working conditions and strong safeguards for the state employees retirement fund). I lead a reasonably comfortable life, but not an affluent one, thanks to these pillars.

Generically, what are the more basic categories of society that got me, and millions like me, here? They are a strong family unit, a predictable government social program that helps common people live decently and a strong union. Historically, these things produced a large part of the American dream.

As a society, we need to ask are these three components endangered? If yes, it's key that we defend them. Failing to do so imperils the good life that still is looked to by people the world over. At best, these pillars are being chipped away and, in the worst case, unions may be nearing demise.

It is correct that strong individuals immigrated to this country and set a standard for individualism. That's admirable and productive. Look close though. We are not unrelated autonomous individuals. Feeding the common good has turned out to be in the personal interest of most Americans.

Let's hope those elected in November know American history well enough to create policies that emphasize the common good. It works.

Linda Svoboda

Cedar Rapids