Community Corner

The Changing American Dream

A new series devoted to the stories and people we unearth across all of our Patch sites, exploring economic uncertainty and the changing vision of the American dream.

We're excited to inaugurate a new series for our Patch Readers: "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream."

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times.

There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities.

Find out what's happening in East Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams, which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across nearly 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning to live at home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills.

Find out what's happening in East Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

At the purely local level, we want to know where we, as East Brunswick neighbors, fit along these fault lines.

Nationally, there's a debate about which government-building efforts are "shovel-ready." Locally, we can see the stress on our roads in the traffic lining Route 18 and the NJ Turnpike.

Nationally, there's a debate about the education system, which is at the center of our dreams of a better life for our children. Locally, we know East Brunswick is embroiled in the charter school debate. And there always are questions about tax rates and housing values.

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in East Brunswick go to the heart of your American Dream.


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