"The cost of freedom..."

This isn't quite the image I was looking for, but it says the same thing.
I've spent a good chunk of my summer at the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans hospital, being a volunteer research assistant and sitting in on a couple open heart surgeries. At the main entrance to the hospital a placque is mounted on the wall. It's probably 6 inches by 20 inches, with a modest navy background. In the foreground there is the veterans eagle, with the text "Edward Hines Jr. Hospital: The Price of Freedom is Visible Here." I suppose it only makes sense, considering only veterans may use this hospital's facilities, but at the same time, is this a message we want posted in a center for healing? I'm looking extremely far into it, but in a way this categorizes the patients at this facility as a down-payment for freedom. "These are the casualties necessary to live your democratic life." the sign said to me as I walked past. But at the same time, perhaps it is more of an affirmation. To the veterans it says "You have been injured, but your pain is not in vain. It is for our freedom. Let us heal you as thanks."

Freedom-Bound Dreams

In the introduction to The American Dream Cullen mentions many different aspects of the American Dream, and how it has evolved over time. Towards the end I picked up on one particular aspect of what Cullen said, and it struck me;

"... all notions of freedom rest on a sense of agency, the idea that individuals have control over the course of their lives."

Thus freedom, security, and The American Dream weave themselves together to create this nebulous idea that the United States is founded on. Immediately I thought "What about those who can't control the course of their lives? Those who are stuck in their social situation with little hope of moving their life forward..." Where is their American dream?

T.T. Williams discussed the idea of an open democracy, which provides justice for all living things. In this open democracy constantly questioning and carrying a "healthy sense of indignation". I hate to sound didactic, but a sense of complacency on issues of justice isn't acceptable. Those loosing sight of the American Dream should not succumb to fear and silence themselves, and if they do, we should be their voice: a voice for the voiceless.