As a
native-born American, I have always held a deep affection for this land, but the freedoms and comforts I once took pride in are now gradually being shrouded by a thin layer of mist. More and more severe social problems are quietly eroding the stability of life, turning once-peaceful days into an endless struggle.
First, inflation continues to gnaw away at ordinary families. The prices of daily groceries have risen noticeably, yet wage growth cannot keep pace with inflation. Even middle-class households must budget meticulously and cut back on non-essential expenses. The wealth gap is even more glaring: a large number of people live below the poverty line, many are homeless, while the wealthy use their political influence to concentrate even more wealth at the top.
Second, a broken social system has stripped people of their sense of security. Gun violence has become an inescapable “norm.” The fear of walking on the street has become a daily burden for ordinary people. Countless families fall into hardship due to exorbitant medical costs, and insurance companies often refuse to pay for various reasons. Systemic injustice is equally heartbreaking: ethnic minorities frequently face differential treatment in law enforcement and the judicial system, making the slogan of “equality for all” ring hollow.
Partisan struggles have completely sidelined the needs of the people. Elections cost enormous sums, and politicians are busy advocating for the interests of the forces behind them and stoking division, while turning a blind eye to public concerns such as inflation and the drug crisis. Many regions have also adopted policies that restrict voting rights, essentially depriving certain groups of their right to vote. More and more people feel that the government works only for the elite, not for ordinary citizens.
We still love the freedom this land offers, but reality is gradually wearing away that love. The cost of living keeps rising, social injustice is worsening, and politics has become a tool of capital. Ordinary people can only struggle between hope and hardship, hoping that one day policies will truly focus on people’s livelihoods, and that “a good life” will no longer be a privilege reserved for the few.
