'Terrifying Possibilities': Libertarian Party President Worries About Harris' Impact on the American Dream

According to a recent survey by the Rainey Center, a D.C.-based policy-research think tank, just 9% of American voters believe that the American Dream is more attainable today.

In July, a survey of over 1,000 American voters found that only 3% believed the American Dream was "much more" attainable, while 6% said it was "somewhat more" attainable. However, 66% of respondents stated that the American Dream has become "much less" or "somewhat less" attainable over the past decade.

Angela McArdle, president of the national Libertarian Party, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that she was not taken aback by the survey results. She asserted that the country is in a precarious position when it comes to upward economic mobility, which she believes is a crucial component of the American Dream.

In July, McArdle published an editorial in Newsweek stating that a growing number of Americans, particularly the younger generation, are feeling excluded from the American Dream due to decreasing purchasing power and the loss of individual freedoms.

According to the Rainey Center survey, people tend to be more pessimistic about the American Dream as they get younger. Additionally, individual liberties and financial stability were identified as the two most crucial components of the American Dream by survey respondents.

McArdle believes that if Kamala Harris is elected, the prospects for upward economic mobility and the American Dream will be very concerning, but she has greater confidence in Trump's ability to restore a more optimistic outlook.

"While Donald Trump has been friendly to libertarians, he is not a libertarian himself. He may not always get it right, but I believe he understands the American Dream, aside from minor libertarian nuances."

McArdle reiterated her argument from July, stating that the decline of individual freedoms, including the protection of property rights, is linked to a growing sense of national pessimism regarding the American Dream. Furthermore, McArdle asserted that Harris is indifferent to the idea of property ownership.

"As you mature and become an adult, you aspire to accumulate funds and make a significant purchase, such as a home for many or your first car. However, when you have a potential president who does not uphold the rule of law against property crime, it diminishes the thrill of making a major purchase like that."

"McArdle stated that many people, particularly in urban areas, are hesitant to start a small business if they do not feel secure in their property being protected by the police. However, if the police become weaponized to target individuals for their thoughts, political speech, or other reasons, the American dream is at risk."

Harris commended the efforts that reduced funding for law enforcement and referred to the protesters who caused billions of dollars in property damage and frequently assaulted police as "essential" during the George Floyd riots of 2020. She also supported a bail fund movement that helped release many of the violent rioters from jail.

McArdle stated that, in her opinion, the real destruction of the American Dream refers to Harris' inability to safeguard property rights.

Sarah Hunt, President of the Rainey Center, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the next administration must prioritize restoring economic prosperity and equal opportunity in order to regain the public's trust in the American Dream.

"The American Dream, which was once taught to young Americans by their parents and grandparents, is now considered unattainable by many. This is due to the high mortgage rates, excessive spending, and inflation. Despite this, there is still hope to reverse course and make the American Dream accessible again."

Deregulation could help alleviate national pessimism about the "American Dream," as suggested by Hunt and McArdle.

"According to Hunt, many Americans are in jobs where they do not feel they are reaching their full potential or may not believe they can provide an education for their children that will help them do so. However, Hunt emphasized that a government with sensible policies and deregulation of burdens and regulations that limit opportunities would greatly benefit individuals in achieving more opportunities."

McArdle stated that although she acknowledges Harris's support for small businesses through words, she believes that Harris does not understand or value the true nature of the regulatory environment.

McArdle stated that while lowering taxes for small businesses is a great start, the real barrier to job creation is regulation.