DisPatches: The Changing American Dream Debuts on Patch

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 the debt, foreclosures, unemployment, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how Imperial Beach and other cities nationwide 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 almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated and locals who have 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 Imperial Beach, fit along these fault lines.

Now that the initial debt ceiling debate is over with and presidential politics is a part of the national discussion again, the focus seems to be on jobs, jobs and jobs.

Since the market began to crash in 2008, the unemployment rate has gone from . That exceeds county, state and national averages.

A SANDAG 2030 Regional Growth Forecast found that most growth in jobs in the next 20 years will primarily take place in San Diego and North County.

So what needs to change for IB to be successful in the future?

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 the most important people to improve school performance isn't a national politician, but school principals, PTAs, school boards, staff and students.

"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 Imperial Beach go to the heart of your American Dream.