Opportunity Road

Editor's Note

William McKenzie

What compassionate conservatism means for the middle class

President George W. Bush on Compassionate Conservatism

George W. Bush

Compassionate conservatism remains as relevant today as when President George W. Bush campaigned for president on its principles in 2000. In this conversation, President Bush takes a deep dive into the philosophy. From helping displaced workers at home through economic policy, to defending the oppressed overseas, to ensuring a quality education for all, the core responsibility of government is to care for its people.

Compassionate Conservatism

The Catalyst is launching the first of four consecutive editions on the meaning of compassionate conservatism in today’s world. This open letter from the members of this journal’s editorial board comes 15 years to the month that President Bush provided a clear delineation of his philosophy in a London address.

Opioid Abuse Is Devastating Families – and America's Middle Class

James Winnefeld

After losing his son to opioid addiction, Admiral James Winnefeld is dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of opioids — and that addiction is a disease, not a moral shortcoming.

How Women Can Overcome Barriers to the Middle Class

A country is at its strongest when women thrive. In this collection of short essays, we take a look at the progress women have made in overcoming barriers to the middle class — and what is still left to be accomplished.

Strengthen America's Democracy with More Democracy

Lindsay Lloyd

As America’s young and nonwhite population grows, many feel they are not benefiting from democracy. Fighting to defend equal rights for all can help restore trust in key democratic institutions for the rising generations of Americans.

Is America's Democracy Really Working for All?

Isabel González Whitaker, Chequan Lewis, Tina Tran

American democracy remains strong and vibrant, but protecting this strength requires a renewed commitment to ensuring all Americans are receiving equal benefits and opportunities.

Tariffs Are Great – If You Like Raising Prices, Undermining Jobs, and Inhibiting Innovation

Matthew Rooney

Americans — and especially the middle class — are at risk of economic consequences of a protectionist trade policy. The U.S. should look to history for a lesson in the importance of more open global trade.

The Benefits of Homeownership Mean We Should Still Believe in the American Dream

J.H. Cullum Clark

Home ownership is still an aspiration among a majority of Americans — and the good news is that home and asset ownership is a solid bet to generate and protect middle-class families’ wealth.

Don't Blame Trade for Killing the Middle-Tier Jobs We Need

James Lake

The polarization of the U.S. labor market has resulted in availability of high-skill jobs as well as availability of low-skill jobs. The lack of jobs in between those two ends of the spectrum presents a problem for our country.

Veterans: A Building Block of the Middle Class

Col. Matthew F. Amidon, USMCR

A continued investment in America’s veterans will help sustain and grow the middle class.

Companies and Child Care: It's Time to Invest

Matthew K. Rose

By investing in child care, companies can increase worker productivity and help contribute to the development of early childhood skills.

Expanding the Middle Class Requires Innovative Colleges, not Free Ones

Holly Kuzmich

Colleges and universities have long been seen as a critical part of an education. But the long-revered institutions face challenges as the needs of students — as well as financial models — evolve.

Education Is the Catapult Into the Middle Class

Anne Wicks

Education can help children struggling in poverty but only if school boards and policymakers work together to provide options and improvements in low-income school districts.

Lose the Sneering Elitism Towards Skilled Trades

Ed Gillespie

Many Americans make a living through skilled labor, but these jobs are often looked down upon by the elite. To help overcome the skills gap and scarcity of jobs in rural America, educators and communities should promote skilled labor and certification programs.