Nexus: Chapman's Journal of Law and Public Policy

It’s the 80th anniversary of the 1929 crash. It’s no doubt that the economy is suffering, but more importantly, the people of the United States are suffering.

While analysts have the luxury of spitting out ideas and theories that led to this financial catastrophe, most working Americans don’t really care why the economic crisis occurred. They are more concerned with how things will be fixed.

My mother, who left Vietnam in the midst of the Vietnam War in 1975, came to this country with the hopes and aspirations of attaining the so-called “American Dream.” My father, who also left Vietnam in 1975, came to America with a pair of jeans, a white tee shirt, and $7 in his pocket. While growing up, both my parents constantly reminded me of their life struggles coming to America and making something out of virtually nothing. While for the majority of my life, my parents believed that America was a country where opportunities lie, and dreams were made- their tune has changed significantly. My parents, hard working lower-middle class citizens, lost over 65% of their retirement savings and have both suffered major cut backs at their respective jobs. My dad constantly jokes that he is “semi-retired” working only 3 days a week, and my mom’s company downsized cutting pay, and inevitably letting go veteran employees. It doesn’t stop at my immediate family. Several cousins and aunts and uncles have lost jobs, lost significant savings, or are in constant fear of losing their jobs. Out of sheer sadness and worry, my mom desperately asked me one day, “Why, Michelle? Why is this happening to us?”

I had no answer for her. Like I mentioned, for most of my life, my parents embedded in my head that America was the land of opportunity, democracy and fairness. I had to embrace it all. And now, the roles have reversed, and it is now my job to encourage my parents to keep their heads up and to remind them that things will eventually work out (who knows how long eventually is).

Everyone can point fingers and blame this corporation or that politician, but the source of the problem must be solved. The people need some sort of relief or comfort that things will eventually get better. Until that day comes, the country will continue to be plunged in this quick-sand of economic disaster.